Boundary appeal hearings

THIRTY-FIVE individuals and organisations will be heard at the appeal hearings next week relating to the decision on the boundary change between Manawatu District and Palmerston North.

The hearings, which are open to the public, are in the Manawatu District Council chamber on Thursday and Friday (March 1 and March 2) and before the Local Government Commission’s panel of Basil Morrison (chair), Anne Carter and Grant Kirby.

The appeals follow the six-member Joint Boundary Committee’s decision to proceed with the Draft Boundary Reorganisation Scheme, which initially drew 212 submissions. The committee comprised representatives from the Manawatu District and Palmerston North City Councils.

The boundary change moved some land from Longburn to Kairanga, through to and including Bunnythorpe, into the city, as well as the area between Bunnythorpe and Ashhurst.

The hearings are scheduled to start at 9am on the Thursday and end at noon on the Friday.