Council move to protect Landscape and Natural areas

After three years of extensive consultation, Council has notified the Landscape and Natural Values Plan Change for public submission.

TaupM District has some of the most outstanding scenery and unique examples of indigenous vegetation in New Zealand. This is largely due to a combination of ancient volcanic formations, complex mountain ranges, open frost flats, expansive fresh water lakes, and large areas of uninterrupted open space.

Council has a statutory obligation under the Resource Management Act to identify and protect these areas by managing their use, development and subdivision. This is to ensure the protection of the district’s landscape and natural surrounds for future generations.

Council began the initial stages of the Landscape and Natural Values Plan Change in 2004. Since then Council officers have been working with affected landowners and consulting with the wider community to obtain feedback on the most appropriate way of protecting these areas. The Plan Change has been developed based on a wide range of consultation activities including site visits, public open days and a strategic partner’s forum.

The new proposed District Plan provisions include maps showing the locations of the important landscapes and indigenous vegetation areas, along with rules focusing on activities within these areas. The rules relate to subdivision, erection of built structures, indigenous vegetation clearance, and earthworks. New incentives are also proposed for landowners to encourage further enhancement of the values associated with these areas.

Councillor Don Ormsby, Chairman of the Regulatory and Hearings Committee said, “A lot of work has gone into this Plan Change with landowners and the wider community being consulted at length. Thank you to the Landowners who have been doing a great job both in looking after these areas and in telling Council officers what they think about this project”.

Deputy Mayor McElwee was in agreement with her fellow Councillor and hopes to see landowners and the wider public make submissions. “Recognising how and why these area’s are important to our district is only the first step. We need not only public feedback but also further feedback from the private landowners involved to get a real balance of views,” she said.

Council has now adopted the Plan Change for notification, which is available for public submission. Anyone wanting to find out more about the Plan Change or discuss how it may affected them is encouraged to contact Kara Maresca on ph 07 376 0641 (kmaresca@taupo.govt.nz) or Rowan Sapsford on ph 07 376 0723 (rsapsford@taupo.govt.nz), or visit us at Council’s Environmental Services office in Gillespie Plaza on Heu Heu Street.

For more information on making a submission, or for copies of the Plan Change text, maps, cost benefit analysis, and submissions forms go to the following locations:

· Council’s website: www.taupo.govt.nz under “Key Information”
· Any of the District’s Libraries or Service Centers
· By request; either phone: 07 376 0641 or email: EPU@taupo.govt.nz
· Or write to TaupM District Council, Private Bag 2005, TaupM 3352.

Submissions for the Landscape and Natural Values Plan Change close 5pm, Friday 27 February 2009.