Appeal process underway

APPEAL hearings relating to the decision on the proposed boundary change between Manawatu District and Palmerston North are likely to be held in about two months’ time.

Twenty-one appeals were received by the Joint Boundary Committee after it decided to proceed with the Draft Boundary Reorganisation Scheme, which drew 212
submissions from various organisations, groups and individuals.

Thirty-nine people have so far indicated they want to be heard at the hearings, to be conducted by the Local Government Commission’s three-member panel.

Customer Services and Democracy Manager, Janine Hawthorn, said no date had yet been set, “but we understand they could be towards the end of February”.

The hearings, which will be held at the Manawatu District Council in Feilding, will involve three LGC commissioners – former Local Government New Zealand president, Basil Morrison (chair), Anne Carter and Grant Kirby.

Mrs Hawthorn said the hearings could take up to two or three days depending on the final number of people who wished to be heard.

She was not surprised at the number of appeals after fielding inquiries from prospective appellants since the committee’s decision last month.