Proposed District Plan Ready for Consultation
The Gore District Council yesterday marked a significant milestone in the review of its District Plan when it approved notification of the Proposed District Plan for consultation.
The Proposed District Plan is the culmination three years work. It has been shaped by feedback from the community and stakeholders received during consultation on the Draft District Plan last year.
A district plan is a community’s rulebook, ensuring the environment and the things people value are protected while still enabling growth and prosperity. The rules of a district plan set out what activities people can do as of right (permitted activities) and what activities need resource consent.
District Plan Review Committee chairman Cr Keith Hovell said the Council’s current District Plan, which became operative in 2006, was no longer fit for purpose.
The Proposed District Plan has been designed to ensure it aligns with National Planning Standards (NPS) and reflects land use changes over the last 17 years, he said.
“Given the importance of the District Plan in shaping our future, we encourage people to take the time to understand the changes and make a submission.”
Among the key changes in the Proposed District Plan is a shift from five generic zones to 18 targeted zones. The most notable are:
- Three different residential zones to allow for different densities of development.
- Three different rural zones to allow for larger farms, settlements and lifestyle blocks.
- New growth areas, including a new industrial area in south Gore, a Rural Industry Precinct in south Mataura, and a residential growth area in west Gore.
Other key changes include:
- A broader range of heritage listings with more enabling rules.
- Clearer identification of cultural values (mana whenua).
- The inclusion of earthworks and transportation rules, currently managed through a bylaw.
Review committee principal advisor Matt Heale said the Council would notify the proposed plan at the end of August. Submissions will be open until Friday 27 October.
All documents and maps will be available on Council’s community engagement portal www.lets.talk.goredc.govt.nz from Thursday 31 August.
Information would also be available at the Council’s main office, Gore Library and Mataura Library/Service Centre.
Submissions can be made digitally or in hard copy.
Formal notification of the Proposed District Plan was only the start of a lengthy consultation process, he said.
After consultation closes, submissions will be summarised and notified so the community can see what changes are being sought.
“People can submit on the changes before the proposed plan goes to a hearing early next year.”
After the hearing, the District Plan would be finalised and then open to appeal before it became operative, Mr Heale said.