Draft Code of Practice encourages innovation
Taupo District Council has approved a draft Code of Practice for the development of land for public consultation.
The draft code as proposed will be more flexible than the existing code, and will encourage innovative urban design.
The code of practice for the development of land is a set of standards that govern the development of roading, earthworks, storm and wastewater, utilities and water supply. The code ensures that assets associated with roading, water, wastewater and stormwater are built to an appropriate standard. This ensures that when they are transferred to Council by developers they are of an appropriate quality and will not be an added burden to ratepayers in the future.
Strategic Planning Manager Kirsten Thrush says the new code concentrates on meeting objectives and performance rather than setting a standard set of procedures. “Developers will have the option of using innovative approaches to their urban design provided the design meets the stated objectives and performance criteria,” said Mrs Thrush. “We recognise that there are innovative urban designs out there and we want to allow them to be incorporated into our environment.”
Taupo District Council will hold an evening presentation in the near future and will be contacting contractors and developers who may wish to attend.
Details on the Code of Practice and the submission process are available from all Council offices, libraries and on the website:
Submissions can be made from 1 August to 28 August 2009.