Hearings for West Coast’s ‘one regional plan’ begin
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Greymouth is the only West Coast town considered an urban area under new national planning standards, the first day of regional plan hearings heard.
The Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TPPP) hearing opened on Monday with a powhiri at the West Coast Regional Council chambers before a panel of five commissioners including chairperson Dean Chrystal.
It comes after four years of developing the draft plan, which began in July 2019.
Principal TTPP planner Lois Easton said the plan would outline the “strategic direction” for the regional economy, such as primary production and mining.
Combining the current three district plans, dating from the 1990s, made the new plan complex, she said.
The TTPP was the first district plan to be developed under the new National Planning Standard (NPS), and is therefore the first to emerge under the new rules of the Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms.
Under the NPS urban development guideline, only the greater Greymouth area with about 14,000 people fitted the definition of being a significant urban area.
Much of the rest of the West Coast's population areas were between 50 and 5000, she said.
Easton said the plan had been developed “under significant resource constraints".
It meant the draft plan had at times only drawn on past “technical advice”, rather than undertaking new research specific to the plan.
Easton said the “big issues” for the region related to primary production, mineral extraction, preservation of bio-diversity, and, significantly, the new requirements to recognise natural hazards.
“The focus on natural hazards is very new for the West Coast as the present (district) plans largely don’t focus on it at all.”
The Government directed the West Coast to combine its current three district plans after the Local Government Commission began investigating ways “to streamline” the region's approach in 2015.
The outcome was “one plan”, which would be developed under a joint committee of the three district councils and the regional council – which was ordered in 2019 to rate for the TTPP.
The joint group overseeing the plan included Poutini Ngāi Tahu, with support from planning staff from the four councils.
Easton said the focus since July 2019 had been “on strategic direction” for the region, while recognising its current plans were “very old”. It looked at developing strategic directions for land use controls.
Feedback on the changes received 534 submissions on 14,000 submission points.
There had also been work with key stakeholders in the region, which generated a high level of community engagement, she said.
“I would note there has been very significant coverage in the local news papers throughout.”
Easton said at its heart, the TTPP was a plan specific to the region, rather than a big urban centre like Christchurch.
Notably, under the new National Planning Standards driving the TTPP, there had to be strategic directions for urban development, primary production, mana whenua, and natural hazard resilience.
Easton, who hails from Gisborne, noted the whole of the West Coast was smaller than her home town – which might be considered small.
However, a lot of work was being done across the other towns to “maximise the existing infrastructure” in support of the core primary economic activities in the region, like tourism, farming, and mining. This was recognised in the plan.
The first week of hearings will be held in Greymouth until Thursday and then the process will run at least monthly, a week at a time, according to each topic chapter contained within the proposed plan.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
-
64% Yes
-
33.4% No
-
2.5% Other - I'll share below
Unlock the Answer: Today’s Riddle is Trickier Than You Think!
What English word retains the same pronunciation, even after you take away four of its five letters?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz