Unitary Plan - April

Mahurangimatters 1 April 2013 | 23

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Rodney’s future – have your say!

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Auckland’s deputy mayor, Penny Hulse, is urging Rodney residents not to panic over new rules proposed in Council’s new 30-year plan for the region. The draft plan, known as the Unitary Plan, was made public on March 15, and informal meetings are being held around the region over the next two months to discuss it.The plan, intended to replace 14 district and regional plans currently in force, identifies Warkworth as a potential growth area, and suggests a new Rural Urban Boundary be developed south of the town. Ms Hulse says the new boundary is “probably the biggest quantum of change” affecting Rodney, and is urging the public to tell the Council what it thinks about the proposal (see map on p7) before the end of May.Another issue that will be a “biggie” for Rodney is a notable increase in the amount of land deemed ecologically significant, she agrees. The areas, known as Significant Ecological Areas (SEAs), essentially require landowners to get consent if they want to alter particular areas of native bush or waterways. Letters have been sent to all private landowners affected by the change.

“They’re not as terrifying as people think. We’ve sent some letters out and they should be getting to people quite soon, to say: ‘You do need to look at the plan, because we have identified an SEA on your property, but because it is a draft, talk to us about it . . . If you’re saying, ‘This is going to impact hugely on the way I run my dairy farm’, then we’ll have a look and go: ‘Maybe we were over-enthusiastic’. But it’s now that that discussion time is critical.”

Another area where farmers have been given a “gentle nudge in the right direction” is the extension of riparian margins, and new rules about discharges into waterways and planting along streams, she says. “We don’t want to frighten the farmers and we certainly don’t want to tell them to fence all their streams in the next year, but over the next couple of decades we’re looking at progressive removal of stock from streams and so on.”

The plan also focuses on the region’s “fragile harbours”, she says. “Mahurangi is such a fragile harbour, and impacted by land use, so we’re hoping to enshrine some of the really good work that’s been done to clean up the waterways and things like that.”On the other hand, Council wants to make it easier for mangroves to be removed. “I was at a meeting the night before last up at Herald Island, and spontaneous applause broke out when we explained the mangrove rules. The last thing we want is wholesale slaughter and mass killing of mangroves, but it really occurs to me there has been a whole lot of frustration around the mangrove issue.”Other changes include greater protection of groups of buildings that pre-date World War II, which Ms Hulse describes as “an extra safety net”. But she acknowledges the Council has taken a risk by announcing the changes six months early, because of the possibility that some will exploit the current rules while they can.“That’s the risk with some of the heritage stuff. People know we’re making it harder to demolish, and it’s easier now, so we do risk having a whole lot of demolition permits. People might also go in and chop a

Don’t panic, says deputy mayor: ‘we’re ready to listen’

whole lot of trees down. That’s the downside of being transparent, but I believe it’s better to be out there, rather than shock people come September.”Some professional planners have complained about glitches in the plan, which is available online as an interactive map for the first time, and Ms Hulse acknowledges the project has been a major challenge.“It is complex and big and I’m really honest about the fact that we are writing things as we go. “The website is being written as we go. It ain’t perfect, but maybe some feedback on what works and what doesn’t would be great.”

It is complex and big and I’m really honest about the fact that we are writing

things as we go.

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Penny Hulse

| Mahurangimatters 1 April 201324

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I have real concerns that it’s an idealised vision of what

Rodney should be, without really looking at how this affects the people who

live and work here.

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Farmers will find it virtually impossible to subdivide their land under the new rules proposed in the Unitary Plan, says surveyor and planner Tracy Smith.Tracy, who is a director of Parallax Surveyors in Warkworth, has many rural clients and says she is “really concerned” about Auckland Council’s policy objectives for productive rural land in the Rodney region.Council appears keen to keep the amount of productive land the same as it is at present, and is therefore effectively ruling out any new subdivision, she says. But she believes this is driven by what city folk want, rather than what country folk want.“They’re talking about recreation opportunities, and the social and economic wellbeing of Aucklanders, rather than what is the impact for the people living in these rural areas. There are a lot more restrictions for rural people in this plan and I have real concerns that it’s an idealised vision of what Rodney should be, without really looking at how this affects the people who live and work here.”She already has one client who fears he may have recently paid far too much for a piece of land he was planning to subdivide. “Any property that had bush or wetland and had been valued

as having potential for subdivision will lose that. I think it will have a huge impact on property values and how the region will look.”The new plan promotes forestry, which can have a huge impact on the environment, she notes. It also allows greenhouses of any size on any rural property as a permitted activity.But she doubts that Rodney will be able to indulge central Auckland’s desire for a big boost in revenue from farming.

“We know of very few people who live on the land and make their living on the land in Rodney. There doesn’t seem to be any reasoning why they want to keep these large blocks.”Tracy also fears that much good conservation work that is currently done by farmers as a quid pro quo for being allowed to subdivide may also stop. “The new rules are so complicated

and so difficult that I really don’t think there would be many people who would be willing to do it. I think it’s going to have a huge economic impact. There’s so many businesses in the rural Rodney area that depend on rural residential development.”Another significant change is that under the new plan, farmers will only get the right to create one new site with one transferable right, instead of two-for-one currently, she says. And she has yet to discover any mention of minor household units.“That’s a really common thing in Rodney for people to provide a house for their parents or other family members. It’s also a non-complying

activity to do visitor accommodation in the Rural Production and Rural Coastal zones. I would have thought that was a bit of an issue.”Her message to rural people is to talk to as many people as they can to try to get an idea of what the plan will mean for them. “They should talk to their neighbours, or anyone really, and make sure they have their say, even if it’s as simple as filling in a form and saying that you disagree with it. The more people that make a submission the better, even if you don’t know all the little details. Even put in something really general if you’re concerned, because I think it will have a huge impact on a lot of people, not just the developers and the professionals.”

Rodney’s rural landscape can be challenging, says planner Tracy Smith.

Rural subdivision gets even harder under new plan


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Does the pre-1944 housing stock in Warkworth really, as a whole, have the same heritage and character values as, say, Ponsonby? I think that’s quite a big change for Warkworth.

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The most important thing Rodney residents need to know about the Unitary Plan is how it describes their own property, says Warkworth planner David Hay.Mr Hay is urging property owners to go online and check that Council has not made any errors — because his firm, Osborne Hay, has already noticed a few. “For instance, we’re finding sites which all of a sudden have a heritage overlay which appears to be a mistake, or a Significant Ecological Area has moved onto another property. And people should also check that the zoning is relevant because, again, we’re finding cases where the zoning is outdated or there is some mistake.”Another issue the public needs to consider is whether Council has allocated enough land to Countryside Living zones, he says. “They are popular, so I’m not sure whether what the Council is showing reflects what the community and the market want, which is to have more Countryside Living through this east coast area.”Warkworth zones have not yet changed much, because that process has yet to happen, he says, but he does wonder whether its residents will agree that the area’s pre-1944 buildings should necessarily be protected. “People

New heritage zoning “a big change for Warkworth”

extent of growth in Warkworth, you need to know whether Council is going to support the motorway extension. If it has no intention of supporting it, then looking at growth in Warkworth is theoretical. And you also need to know that Watercare is committed to funding the upgrade of

the wastewater treatment plant and potable water supply.”Mr Hay is urging residents to give the Council some feedback on the plan. “People should really take the opportunity, because the next step is a formal feedback process, which can be both time-consuming and expensive.”

The new pre-1944 demolition zone is the large area outlined in pink above.

have to think in terms of whether it’s appropriate for Warkworth or not. Does the pre-1944 housing stock in Warkworth really, as a whole, have the same heritage and character values as, say, Ponsonby? I think that’s quite a big change for Warkworth.”He believes Warkworth is more likely to grow towards the north, than the south, if the new motorway goes ahead. And he is concerned that Council is proposing further industrial development at Hudson Rd, and not in the existing industrial zone at Glenmore Drive.

But he is even more concerned that there doesn’t appear to be any mention of upgrading Warkworth’s wastewater treatment plant, nor what the groundwater bore at Sanderson Rd might be capable of.“Before a decision is made on the


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At present, there are 99 different residential zones across the entire Auckland region. Under the Unitary Plan, these will be streamlined to just five: y Single house – A single house on a single site.

y Mixed Housing – A mix of detached, semi-detached and attached dwellings, units, townhouses, terraced houses and small-scale apartment buildings.

y Terraced Housing and Apartments – Up to 4 or 6 storeys, depending on location.

y Large Lot – Large sites on land that is subject to physical or landscape constraints.

The new rural zones are: y Rural and Coastal Settlement – Small rural and coastal villages (such as Snells Beach), providing for a single dwelling on a larger site.

y Rural Conservation - Replaces the Rural Island zone and includes private land with high conservation values. Includes the land by the dune lakes, most islands, and most of Kawau Island. Restricts expansion or intensification of rural activities and subdivision. Farming, forestry and greenhouses all need consent. Location and scale of dwellings controlled.

y Rural Production - Provides for a wide range of rural production activities, including intensive farming, forestry, greenhouses and mineral extraction. More than one dwelling per lot requires consent, with a minimum lot size of 1ha.

y Mixed Rural - Provides for mixed rural production activities and some non-residential activities alongside Countryside Living areas. Enables the development of scenic routes, environmental tourism and recreation activities. Greenhouses and intensive farming are allowed. More than one dwelling per lot requires consent, with a minimum lot size of 1ha.

y Rural Coastal - Manages and protects high natural values while enabling rural production activities to continue. Activities such as intensive farming, greenhouses and mineral extraction require consent. Location and scale of dwellings controlled.

y Countryside Living - Provides for rural lifestyle and non-productive land uses in rural areas. Some rural production is permitted but restricts activities to those that are compatible with smaller lot sizes and residential amenity levels. More than one dwelling per lot requires consent.

What the new zones meanAuckland Council’s draft Unitary Plan is targeting farmers in a bid to improve water quality. A proposed rule means if you have more than 18 stock units next to a coastal waterway or stream, you’ll have to fence the animals off within five years.Marine biologist Roger Grace says it is well recognised that getting stock out of streams is a good idea from a water quality point of view. “If you let it grow with rank weeds and grass it does part of the job, but it’s better to plant it out with trees to filter out sediment running off the surrounding farmland. They end up shading the water, which keeps it cooler and more suitable for natural aquatic life.”Dr Grace says some farmers might be bothered by the costs of fencing off streams but Raglan farmers have found by keeping stock out of swampy areas they’re not losing so many animals from getting stuck in the mud.“They’ve minimised their health bill because they’re not getting sick from drinking polluted water.”Forest and Bird North Island conservation manager Mark Bellingham says most dairy farmers have stock well fenced because cows are expensive and they can’t afford to lose them in the mud.“It’s sheep and beef farms that are the problem, especially around the

Clampdown on water quality

Kaipara Harbour. It’s good they have to improve their practices.”Mr Bellingham says Northland Regional Council provided farmers with an assistance fund for the best biodiversity areas and Auckland Council should “step up” and do the same.Federated Farmers Rodney chairman John Glasson says: “Rural people realise water quality is important but they can’t change it overnight. As we get more educated on what’s happening with our streams and waterways, we’ll get on and do what we have to do.”The draft plan also proposes additional limits around untreated boat sewage within 2km of the shoreline.


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An Auckland Council plan to boost the number of ecologically sensitive areas has some Rodney farmers spitting the dummy – but the Rodney Local Board says it won’t stop farmers from making money.Significant Ecological Areas include indigenous vegetation and fauna and are decided according to uniqueness, representativeness, threat status, diversity or whether an area is a migration pathway. The council is required to provide protection under the Resource Management Act but says existing uses such as farming and clearing to maintain tracks, fences and buildings won’t require a resource consent.Forest and Bird North Island conservation manager Mark Bellingham says Significant Ecological Areas (SEAs) are a significant step up from Significant Natural Areas first introduced by the former Rodney District Council in 1998. He says the changes reflect the inherent value of the area with the most noticeable increases between Orewa and Warkworth, Dome Valley to Leigh and Muriwai to Waitakere.“The only fundamental change is that landowners expecting to clear natural areas and get their hands on irrigation water might be

disappointed,” Mr Bellingham says.“They have to maximise production in existing areas rather than clear forest areas that are regenerating or wetland. I support agricultural production but it can’t be at the expense of the environment.”Federated Farmers Rodney chairman John Glasson says SEAs have been appearing “like fleas on a dog”.“Council staff see a bush or a swamp area on an aerial photo or Google Maps and call it an SEA. They say they just want to mark it on the map but in 20 years’ time the rules might change and it becomes an area you can’t drain, cut bush down in or develop.”He says there seems to be an agenda in a section of Auckland Council to “inhibit the ability of the rural sector to farm their own land”.Tapora landowner and Landowners and Contractors Protection Association secretary Julie Cotton agrees, saying there’s a difference between protecting the environment and impinging on people’s basic property rights.“It’s infuriating. It’s like you buy a car and Council say you have to have pink and purple seat covers. It leaves you with no control.”Ms Cotton says farming is the

country’s “bread and butter” and “sending farmers to the wall” doesn’t make sense.“Landowners have become frightened of having Council on their property. It takes one graduate ecologist to identify a random twig or mushroom and the next thing you know half your property is fenced off. This is our livelihood.”

Rodney Local Board chairman Bob Howard says Ms Cotton’s comments are a “total overreaction”.“Owners will have the right to capitalise on their land. They have the ability to fence and covenant those areas. It’ll inhibit the right to cut down bush and build a house, but if you were going to do that you’d have done it by now anyway.”Mangrove removal is another issue raised in Auckland Council’s draft Unitary Plan. So long as photos from 1996 are provided showing mangroves don’t exist, if any have grown in the

same place since, you can cut them down without resource consent.Marine biologist Roger Grace says some mangroves more than 60 years old sit outside the basic edge of the mangrove forest at Whangateau Harbour and there is a risk the “1996 line” excludes them. “They provide a hard surface for filter feeder animals like oysters and barnacles and little muscles which have an important ecological function in filtering water, like cockles. They’re also important nursery areas for juvenile parore.”Mr Grace says people living south of the Omaha causeway have been illegally removing mangroves and replacing them with concrete rubble, artificial beaches and sea walls. “You don’t have a natural salt marsh anymore. You’ve got an artificial, messy look.”Mr Bellingham says the mangrove rule will only apply to private property, and most mangroves grow on publicly owned foreshore. “It will only apply to two to three properties in the whole of Auckland and doesn’t affect any in Rodney at all.”He says it is important to give a full assessment of an area rather than a carte blanche approach to clear. “It’s about the value of the area, not a particular date.”

New rules affect mangroves, native bush and water

It’s like you buy a car and Council say you have to have pink and purple seat covers. It leaves you with no control.

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The aim of the Unitary Plan is to provide a single rulebook to cope with Auckland’s massive growth, which is currently averaging 600 people a week. The draft plan sets a 30-year goal of providing for 70 percent of new homes to be built within the existing Metropolitan Urban Limit. But it also wants to allow up to 40 percent to be built in new areas, such as Warkworth. Therefore it has created what it calls a Rural Urban Boundary (RUB), which will allow for the gradual release of more new land.Until now, the Auckland Council has mostly been concentrating on creating a new RUB south of the city. But this month, it will turn its focus to the north and northwest. The RUB for Warkworth, Silverdale and Kumeu/Huapai has to be finalised by September, so residents are being urged to get involved in the process as soon as possible.Auckland’s deputy mayor, Penny Hulse, admits the Warkworth RUB has taken “a bit of a back seat” until now. “But on the other hand, Rodney had already done a hell of a lot of work on this,” she says.Public meetings to discuss the RUB will be held in the region next month. But in the meantime, Council has suggested a possible boundary as a starting point.Warkworth planner David Hay is annoyed Council has not included the proposal in its interactive map — making it almost impossible for residents to see where its exact boundaries lie. The issue is crucial for people living close to the boundary, as it could affect their property’s value, he notes.Mr Hay says Council has already done a lot of background work on the Warkworth RUB, and he

is disappointed it has not yet put the same effort in that it did with Pukekohe residents. “People need to really have a look at that [proposal] and make a decision whether they want their land included.”Cr Penny Webster says the community also needs to give Council feedback on issues such as whether the new motorway should have a link road to Matakana. “Landowners have already approached Council over the years and said: ‘We want this to happen and that to happen’. We need buy-in to make sure that that’s what people think is very important.”

The public also needs to say whether Warkworth should expand in the south, to allow for an extra 3500 dwellings over the next 30 years, she says.“What we’re asking is: ‘When Warkworth becomes a satellite town, how do you want it to grow? Do you want it to grow out? Do you want it to grow up? Do you want it to grow east, or north? How much farmland do you want us to take? Do you want smaller sections?”She describes the indicative RUB as “just a stab in the dark”. But although it may feel rushed, there is still a long way to go before it comes into effect, she says. “It will come back and it will be sorted in

New Rural Urban Boundary proposed for Warkworth

People need to really have a look at [the Rural Urban Boundary] and make

a decision whether they want their land included.

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Public meetings plannedIf you want to have your say on Rodney’s future, or simply want to better understand the changes that are being proposed, there are several public meetings being held over the next two months. These include: y Roadshow and e-plan training, April 6, 10am-12.30pm, Mahurangi East Library;

y Walk-in session, April 16, 7-9pm, Puhoi Sports Club;

y Roadshow, April 17, 11am-2pm Wellsford Community Centre;

y Roadshow with Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, April 27, time to be confirmed, Wellsford Community Centre.

Several meetings are also being held to specifically discuss the Rural Urban Boundary for Warkworth. These will take place in May on dates yet to be finalised.

the plan that then goes out for proper notification in September, and that is when the Government is going to set up a hearings panel with the Council to hear all the submissions. From there on people can say yes or no, and it won’t actually come into effect for another three years.”Warkworth is ranked sixth on Council’s list of areas needing a RUB, just behind Silverdale West, and Kumeu/Huapai. Snells Beach/Algies Bay is ranked 12th, while Helensville and Wellsford are ranked 13th-equal.


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This map/plan is illustrative only and all informationshould be independently verified on site before takingany action.Copyright Auckland Council. Land Parcel Boundary information from LINZ (Crown Copyright Reserved).Whilst due care has been taken, Auckland Council gives no warranty as to the accuracy and completeness of any information on this map/plan and accepts no liability for any error, omission or use of the information.Height datum: Auckland 1946.

1:50,000 @ A3Greenfield Areas for Investigation

Existing Metropolitan Urban Limits (MUL)

Existing urban areas

100 Year Floodplain

Potential future transport link

Puhoi - Warkworth proposed motorway

Motorway

Major Road

Minor Roads

0 1 20.5 km

The estimated capacity for dwellings shown in the options for the Warkworth greenfield areas is approximately 3,500 dwellings, over 30 years.

Future Growth Options and an Indicative Rural Urban Boundary

Warkworth

The draftAuckland Unitary PlanAddendumFor engagement purposes 15th March 2013

These areas together provide indicative options for a RUB

Future growth options and an indicative Rural Urban Boundary for Warkworth


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Omaha Flats

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Waiwhiu Road

Wright Road

Green Road

Cowan Bay Road

Smyth Road


Hamilton Road

Moir Hill Road

Saunders Road

Old Kaipara Road

Hepburn Creek Road

Goatley Road

Carran Road

Wilson Road

Kraack Road

R adiata Road

Conical Peak Road

Moirs Road

Ahuroa Road

Smith Road

Anderson Road

Gill R

oad

Lawr

ie R

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Dawson Road

E dw ards R

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Dennis Road

Grange Street

Pukapuka Road

Tongue Farm Road

Golf Road

P erry Road

Gooda

ll Roa

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Mat

thew

Roa

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ger le

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Ward Road

Clayden Road

Monarch-downs Way

Streamlands Swam

p Road

Phillips Road

Hodgart Road

Oak River Drive

Bertr

am S

treet

Tamahunga Drive

No 2 Road

Earlsw

ay

Morrison Drive

Mansel Drive

Victoria Street

K raack Road

Moir Hill R oad





100 Year Floodplain



Motorway

Major Road

Minor Roads

0 1 20.5 km



Warkworth



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Parry Kauri Park, Tudor Collins Drive (Off Wilson Road, Warkworth)Phone: 09 425 7093 | Email: [email protected] | www.wwmuseum.orconhosting.net.nz

Open 7 Days, Monday to Sunday 10am – 4pm

Warkworth & District MuseumVisit the Museum – see displays of memorabilia, furniture, photographs,

clothing, machinery and buildings from our colonial past. Lots to see and do for all members of the family. Browse through our Gift and Souvenir Shop.

nzfi rst.org.nz

nzfirst.org.nz

Tracey Martin New Zealand First List MPI bring a fresh, energetic, practical approach to issues of importance that impact on you.

New Zealand First MPs

Rt Hon Winston Peters

Richard Prosser

Barbara Stewart

Brendan Horan

Tracey Martin

Denis O’Rourke

Andrew Williams

Asenati Lole-Taylor

New Zealand First Spokesperson for:Communications & IT | Education | Research, Science & TechnologyWomen’s Affairs | Youth AffairsSelect Committee: Education and Science

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Auckland Office:157A Kitchener Road, PO Box 31-119, Milford AucklandP 09 489 8336 | [email protected]

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Tracey MartinNew Zealand First List MPTalk to Tracey – Saturday 27 April9am-10am Whangaparaoa Library, Pohutukawa Room10.30am-11.30am Orewa Community House1pm-2pm Totara Park Lounge, WarkworthPlease phone Karen at my office to make an appointment or just pop in.

[email protected]/traceymartinmp

twitter.com/traceymartinmp Phone 09 489 8336

Authorised By Tracey Martin, Bowen House, Wellington

8


It might sound a bit unfair, but it looks like we are being asked to be the playground

for our city cousins.

“

”

Warkworth planner Burnette O’Connor says the community needs to discuss how it feels about the provision for four-storey buildings in Warkworth, the expansion of Warkworth’s heritage precinct to include substantial residential areas, and the Rural Urban Boundary (RUB).For any pre-1944 buildings, including homes in the heritage overlay, resource consent will be required for alterations or demolition.The maximum building height has increased from 10.5 metres to 16.5 metres, which would roughly equate to doubling the height of the Warkworth Town Hall.“The community needs to give some thought as to how this will affect the character of the town which, to date, is probably dominated more by large trees and vegetation,” Burnette says. “Do we want that sort of intensification in the town centre or can we accommodate growth in some other way?“Likewise, the RUB suggests growth to the south of town, but I believe one of the really nice characteristics of Warkworth is its clear gateway delineations between the rural and urban sections, both north and south.

Retaining these characteristics doesn’t have to be at the expense of growth and development, but we need to ensure their importance is given weight in the rules with setbacks and vegetation controls.” She also notes that subdivision in rural areas will be a lot tougher under rules contained in the draft Unitary Plan.

Burnette says under the plan, all rural subdivision will either be a discretionary activity when it meets the rules or a prohibited activity which means an application can not be legally submitted.Under the previous Rodney District Plan, rural subdivision was a discretionary activity and Council was limited to assessing applications against a certain set criteria.“Under the new rules, it’s likely that applications will be notified and refusal would appear to be more of a possibility,” Burnette says. “It’s a

lot tougher than what we’ve been used to and is certainly tougher than what’s being suggested for urban areas. It might sound a bit unfair, but it looks like we are being asked to be the playground for our city cousins – they want us to keep the countryside beautiful and rural.”For landholders who are able to undertake a bush or wetland subdivision, the area of bush to be set aside has been increased from 2ha to 5ha and the land must be within an identified Significant Ecological Area. For wetlands, the minimum area is 5000sqm with a 20m buffer. There is also an option of protecting an area of 3ha for threatened ecosystems or habitats of threatened species.The only other rural subdivision option is for the creation of sites of 150ha in the Rural Production and Mixed Rural zones.Burnette says in most rural zones, if you can create a title you have to transfer it to an identified Countryside Living area. The good news, though, is that the plan appears to identify larger Countryside Living options, particularly around Wellsford. She says the policy reflects a conscious move away from ad hoc Countryside Living subdivision to a more planned

Proposals will affect both urban and rural Rodney

approach with residential areas located where there are decent roads and other basic infrastructure such as schools.Burnette says it’s reasonably user-friendly on the web, particularly the maps and overlays.“I have to say that they haven’t done a bad job, given the sheer magnitude of the task. But in keeping the plan as simple as possible, it will be interesting to see how some terms are defined and interpreted. It’s also important to remember that as a Unitary Plan it includes region-wide controls, objectives and policy dealing with higher-order planning matters such as directing growth.”

Warkworth residents need discuss the town’s future shape.


AUCKLAND

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The draft Auckland Unitary Plan is open for consultation and Rodney Local Board is hosting meetings in your area where you can learn more about how the draft rules may affect Rodney and have your say.

The draft Auckland Unitary Plan is the rule book that will shape the way Auckland grows and help make it the world’s most liveable city. The plan sets out what can be built and where, shaping where we live, where we work and how we look after the things we value in both our urban and rural areas.

You are invited to attend the following session so you can fi nd out about the draft Auckland Unitary Plan what it means for Puhoi:

Tuesday 16 April 2013, 7pm-9pmPuhoi Sports ClubPuhoi Domain, Domain Rd, Puhoi

For more dates on local and regional events, feedback options and how to view the e-plan, please visit www.shapeauckland.co.nz

What shape will Rodney take as Auckland grows?

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9


Matakana planner Lisa Capes is pleased the draft plan has streamlined the number of planning zones. However, she is concerned about several issues in rural areas.

Plan silent on rural concerts

One is that she has so far been unable to find any specific provisions for events such as concerts in rural areas.Lisa notes that such events have become popular in the Matakana area in particular, and can be a lucrative tourism drawcard. But with no specific noise controls or provision for such events, they can be a nightmare to organise.“Probably we need to query whether as part of our feedback we go to planners and say, ‘Yes there are areas that are set aside in the city for events, but in our areas we’re not able to get to the city all the time and we still want to be able to have things out our way’.”Lisa says she is also puzzled that visitor accommodation is considered a non-complying activity in Rural Coastal and Rural Production zones. “Yet in places like Matakana, they’re crying out for visitor accommodation,” she says.Conversely, the draft plan allows markets to become a lot more prevalent. “I would have thought that would have more impact than visitor accommodation, to be honest, but it’s good that it’s been freed up a bit.”She is urging the public to take an interest in the plan. “It’s about how they live, work and play — it’s not just

about what they can do on their piece of dirt.”Consultant planners Cato Bolam, who have an office in Orewa, agree the web-based system Council has introduced has made access to the plan easier. However, for more complex developments there are rules, such as those that apply across all zones, which need to be found separately. Planning manager Peter Reaburn believes this will make things difficult for anyone who is not a regular user of the plan.Mr Reaburn notes that for many people, particularly in coastal settlement areas, the new rules will be similar to the old ones. To achieve consistency across the region there are some adjustments to the basic rules relating to land development. One example is the standard residential zone, which applies in Warkworth, Snells Beach and Omaha North. The new minimum site size is 500m2, compared to the standard 600m2 that applies currently in the Rodney District Plan. The standard height requirement for most residential zones becomes 8m – the current rule is 9m. There are also new yard and other requirements, and entirely new layers of rules introduced, such as Outstanding Natural Landscapes.


Display Suite Open daily 10am to 4pm - 1 Parkside Drive, Kensington Park, Orewa Beach Tel: 0800 57 67 392 or 021 819 125 • www.kensingtonpark.co.nz

Tuesday 16th April from 5.30pmREGISTRATIONS REQUIRED - Call 0800 57 67 392 or 021 819 125 or email: [email protected]

~ Please register early as places are limited ~

Information Evening

Come along and find out why Kensington Park is so unique and what we have to offer. Wine and Cheese will be provided

You’ll love the Kensington Park neighbourhood. Enjoy your own freedom and enhanced security with the peace of mind that your home is freehold, not leasehold.

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No other lifestyle development in New Zealand matches Kensington Park’s unique combination of individual home designs within a common architectural style you will feel proud to call home.

You’ll love the Kensington Park Lifestyle

10


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11


The new rulebook intended to shape the Auckland region for the next 30 years replaces 14 existing district and regional plans, some of which are already more than a decade old. In the past, these plans have been printed in thick books. But members of the public are being encouraged to wean themselves off the paper versions, for reasons of sheer practicality.If stacked on top of each other, the old plans would reach over 1.5m in height and weigh 50kg. The new plan is not much slimmer. According to Auckland Council’s chief planning officer, Dr Roger Blakeley, to print off 1000 copies of the new plan to share around the region would cost around $1.3 million. “It’s unwieldy and not a good use of ratepayer funds. Plus you’d need a new set every time it’s updated,” he says.Although there will be a few printed versions of the plan and the maps in service centres and some libraries, Council is hoping many people will use its new e-plan instead. The e-plan is an interactive digital map that anyone with decent broadband can access over the internet. Or at least that’s the theory. The e-plan is a first for Auckland Council, and is also a first on this scale

Council’s Unitary Plan available online for everyone to use

Council staff demonstrate how to use the Unitary Plan website.

anywhere else in New Zealand. The aim is that it will allow people to do some basic research for themselves, without having to approach Council staff, therefore making Council processes more efficient (and presumably less expensive). Eventually, Council hopes to offer some basic planning services online.While professional planners agree the e-plan is a huge improvement, some members of the public are likely to

struggle with the technology. For a start, viewing the plan requires the latest version of Adobe Flash Player. It also requires more than a bit of patience for newbies to navigate, and Councillors have admitted that some fine-tuning is likely to be needed, such as a providing a basic user guide on its homepage.Users can tick or untick boxes to show different layers of rules that apply to specific areas. The zones show what

uses are allowed in that area, while various overlays show the various values that also apply, such as whether the location is considered a significant ecological area. The map also includes information such as views that are protected across the region from its volcanic vantagepoints. The viewshafts are so specific that you can tell precisely where they might cut across your property.There is a brown button that enables users to compare the proposed plan with the existing one — although that’s not nearly as easy as it sounds. Councillors have also admitted there is some risk in people misusing or misunderstanding the e-plan. But at this stage it is not likely to matter, as there will still be significant input required from council officers before permits such as resource consents are issued.Dr Blakeley describes the e-plan as much shorter, much less complex and much more accessible than previous plans. “By using the online map, you’ll be able to search for your property and see what zone and what restrictions apply. It’s not quite child’s play – but you’re likely to have a much better chance of working out what it means for you than under the current rules.”Info: www.shapeauckland.co.nz


SURVEYORS | PLANNERS | ENGINEERS

If you have rural land, some of your current subdivision oppor-tunities may be lost. Act now to �nd out if this a�ects you.

Draft Unitary PlanHow will the Draft Unitary Plan affect you?

What should you do about the Draft Unitary Plan? Check your zoning and the overlay rules to see how they a�ect your property.

Residential landowners should: Consider providing feedback to Council on: 1. The residential subdivision rules 2. The future growth area

Rural landowners should: Consider providing feedback to Council on: 1. The Rural Subdivision rules 2. The Rural Boundary Relocation rules

Take action now and secure a subdivision consent for rural bush or wetland subdivisions under the current rules

1. Advise on your development potential under the current and draft rules

2. Advise on the best course of action to secure the most potential from your land

3. Secure subdivision consent under the current rules

4. Prepare submissions on the Unitary Plan when noti�ed in September 2013

Orewa: 19 Tamariki Ave | 09 427 0072

Henderson: 89 Central Park Drive | 09 837 0486

Whangarei: 127 Bank Street | 09 438 1684

www.catobolam.co.nz

However, some residential opportunities may be improved. Talk to us to �nd out what this means for you.

How can Cato Bolam help you?

12

Documents

Unitary Plan - April