HDC Sports Park decision confirmed by Environment Court

An Environment Court decision released today confirms Hastings District Council’s position that the community good of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Sports Park out-weighed the affect on the Heretaunga Plains.

The Land Protection Society appealed a council plan change which changed the zoning of the Percival Road site, allowing the Sports Park development to go ahead.

Principal Environment Court Judge Craig Thompson says in his decision that;

· As a “genuine one-off” the park provides “for the wellbeing of people and communities through the availability of sports facilities.”

· “Bringing such sports facilities together in one coherent complex is an efficient use and development of natural and physical resources.”

· “The objective of concentrating these facilities in one place has benefits” to the sustainable management of the district’s resources.

This decision is consistent with the submission made by Hastings District Council to the appeal process that;

“The Council acknowledges the importance of protecting the Plains zone land, but regards that factor as outweighed in this instance by the importance to the community of having a comprehensive regional sports park facility such as this.”

Group Manager; Resource Management, Mike Maguire says legal advice and expert evidence in preparation for the Environment Court hearing has cost Hastings District ratepayers in excess of $150,000.

This follows a High Court judicial review of the council’s consent process for the athletics track and grandstand prompted by the Land Protection Society, which also found in favour of the council at a cost of approximately $50,000.

As the responding regulatory authority, the Council is required defend its decision.