Mayor Hits Back At Hill Country Criticism

Hastings Mayor, Lawrence Yule, is outraged at claims made by Hill Country Corporation Ltd, which have come in the wake of the company withdrawing its application for a private plan change at Ocean Beach.

“I’ve just got back from overseas and I’m incensed at the claims Hill Country is levelling at Council. The accusations made by general manager, Phil Hocquard, are absolutely false and his recollections of the process unbalanced and selective at best.”

It was at Hill Country’s insistence that Council started investigating the planning options for Ocean Beach and good deal of ratepayer money has been spent on the process.

Council’s only intention was to find a long-term solution for the future of Ocean Beach, which protected this wilderness treasure while allowing for some development.

Council had begun its own plan change however, Hill Country felt it was far too modest and applied for its own private plan change for 1000 homes – 1000 homes the community clearly did not want.

The facts are – Hill Country proposed 1000 home, six months ago the Maori landowners withdrew their support for Hill Country’s proposal and one month ago Hill Country wrote to council asking for a delay on the hearing until next year – now Hill Country has withdrawn its application.

Claims council has blurred its political and regulatory responsibilities are baseless and frankly offensive to myself, councillors and the council officers who have gone to lengths to ensure the process was both independent and fair.”