Whakatane District Plan
Discovered something interesting about our district plan while talking to one of the planning staff recently. It was around the 25m boundary rule for rural properties where you can't build any closer without requesting consent, a significant extra cost. I openly questioned the rule, as my neighbour to be had a 50m wide section and asked him bluntly who came up with it, and why.
The answer was interesting, he didn't know, nor was there much information on the reasoning behind it. The most important point though is that even if council wanted to change it now, they couldn't because during the time the now operative plan went into consultation there were no submissions on that rule, hence even if they wanted to change it, there is no mechanism to allow that to happen.
Now whether that's the fault of Whakatane District council or the resource management act isn't really relevant, what is relevant is that when they put the next plan out for consultation then make sure you read and do your best to understand the parts relevant to you, and if you have a problem then submit on it. Yes, I know the plan runs to 700+ pages, and much of it makes a dictionary exciting but it determines what council and land owners can and cannot do.
I would add in closing that my experience recently when dealing with planning staff has been pretty good both as a property owner and real estate agent, if you want to know something then walk into the council offices and ask them, I have and it was worth the time and effort involved.
Andrew Broxholme
Edge Realty Whakatane
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson (REAA 2008)
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
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How can the number four be half of five?
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Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.4% Yes
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14% No
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1.6% Other - I'll share below
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