Waikato District Council news
Council adopts Long Term Plan and approves Proposed District Plan
Waikato District Council on Thursday 28th June signed off on two major pieces of planning work for the district.
It adopted the Long Term Plan 2018-28, which establishes the Council’s infrastructure and financial strategies for the next 10 years, and approved the Proposed Waikato District Plan (Stage 1) which establishes the guidelines for future growth and development, including rules for protecting the district’s environment and heritage.
Waikato District Mayor Allan Sanson says, “This is a real turning point for the Council and for the future of our district. Through our Long Term Plan, in consultation with the community, we have developed and adopted a new vision to create liveable, thriving and connected communities and have established sound strategies to support this.
Now our proposed District Plan provides a new spatial vision for the future development of our communities, and we look forward to receiving submissions from all community interests as we work towards finalising it.”
Waikato District Council Chief Executive Gavin Ion says the District Plan is an important document for Council as it tells the community how the district’s land can be used, developed and subdivided.
“The Plan gives guidance as to what you can do with your land – where you can put your garage and how many storeys your house can be depending on where you live in the district. But it also goes much deeper than that – we’re proud to say that our District Plan also protects our culture and heritage and has innovative ways to encourage development on Maori Freehold Land with papakaainga housing developments etc.
“Up until now, the district has had two different sections of the Plans, planning provisions inherited from the old Franklin District Council and one for the rest of the district. With this Proposed Plan, we will be united and have one set of rules and guidelines for what we can do with our land and how we manage the environment.”
Prior to adoption today, the Council’s Long Term Plan was finalised in line with submissions that supported the Council’s preferred options for delivering its waters services through a professional Council-appointed Waters Governance Board, and for reducing the fixed component of general rates (the Uniform Annual General Charge or UAGC) in order to reduce the rating burden on lower-value properties in the district.
Reviewing the District Plan has been a long process which has involved numerous opportunities for the community to have their say, but the formal process of submissions will be open from 18 July.
Key changes between the current Operative Plan and the Proposed Plan include:
- The adding of around 60 heritage sites and buildings, along with 16 notable trees to their respective lists. The rules have been amended to provide for ongoing maintenance and care or repair.
- A consistent residential zone and redeveloped village zone, along with three business zones. Additional residential zone areas have also been created in Tuakau, Pokeno, Te Kowhai, Taupiri, Ngaruawahia and Horotiu to allow for growth, along with an additional industrial zoned area in Huntly.
- Under the Taangata Whenua chapter, flexible provisions have been created that give more options for those with Maaori Freehold Land.
All landowners will soon receive a letter about the Proposed Waikato District Plan that either details the proposed changes to their property or prompts them to view the Plan to see if they would like to make a submission. We encourage everyone to make a submission online, but hard copies of the submission forms are also available from all Council offices, libraries and by phoning us on 0800 492 452 to request one.
Community drop-in sessions will be held in August and September if you would like help in making a submission. Further details about this will be promoted closer to the time.
Lots of information on the Plan and its supporting documents can be found on our website, www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/districtplan once the Plan is notified.
The submission period is open from the date of official notification, Wednesday 18 July, 2018 until Tuesday 9 October, 2018.