Coastal hazard areas to be withdrawn

The withdrawal of contentious coastal hazard provisions from the Proposed District Plan (PDP) moved towards its final stages today.

Council's Regulatory Management Committee (RMC) endorsed arrangements to withdraw provisions relating to not just coastal hazards but also to hazardous substances and facilities and priority areas for restoration.

A large proportion of the submissions to the PDP were on these three topics, particularly the Coastal Hazard Management Areas. A Coastal Advisory Group (CAG) of community members and stakeholders is being formed to discuss future coastal hazard management options for the district.

Following the CAG process, any proposed new draft coastal hazard provisions for the District Plan will be open to a new round of public consultation and formal submissions. This is not expected until 2017/18.

The RMC was also briefed on work staff and legal advisors have done to create an amended list identifying rules contained in the PDP which have immediate legal effect, which mainly protect heritage sites, areas of significant native bush and the habitats of native animals and birdlife.

The changes follow the Council's decision in July to adopt Option 4 of those recommended by the Independent Review of the PDP. Staff have now analysed the PDP and identified all related objectives, policies, rules and map layers for withdrawal.

Full details of the changes are covered in some FAQs (Frequently-Asked Questions) on the Council website.

If anyone would like further information, they can email [email protected] or phone Council on (04) 296 4700 or 0800 486 486.