Public views sought on proposed regional maps

Roughly 23,000 Northland landowners are being contacted this week as the Northland Regional Council seeks public feedback on maps linked to the region’s most significant planning document.

The Proposed Regional Policy Statement (Proposed RPS) for Northland opened for public submissions this month and includes maps of the region’s outstanding natural areas and coastal land.

Kathryn Ross, the regional council’s General Manager – Planning and Policy, says many of the maps have been refined after feedback was sought from newly-affected landowners earlier this year.

“We’re now contacting everyone within a mapped area – roughly 23,000 landowners – to let them know about the maps and the policies that go with them,” Ms Ross says.

“While majority of these landowners are unlikely to see much change as a result of the proposed maps, we’re doing our best to ensure that anyone with a line around or across their property knows what it means and has an opportunity to have their say.”

“We’re also happy to answer any further questions that people have about the proposed maps.”

Ms Ross says those who don’t receive a letter are probably not in a mapped area, but people who want to check to make sure can view the maps at all regional council offices, in public libraries or online via www.nrc.govt.nz/RPSmaps

Ms Ross says the council is legally required to carry out identification of the region’s outstanding natural areas and coastal land as part of works on its Proposed RPS, which sets out how our natural and physical resources are managed.

“These maps are just one of many issues covered in the Proposed RPS; it also examines a raft of other issues including coastal and freshwater, natural hazards (especially flooding), tangata whenua involvement in resource management decision-making and regional infrastructure.”

It represents a vast amount of effort by council staff working closely with a joint seven-member committee of regional councillors, the deputy Mayors of the Far North and Kaipara Districts and a senior Whangarei District Councillor.”

Ms Ross says the public has until 5pm on Monday December 3 to comment on the resulting 164 page proposed policy plus its more than 1200 pages of supporting documentation and maps.

■ The Proposed Regional Policy Statement – including the maps – is available online via www.nrc.govt.nz/newRPS or as hard copies at regional council offices and at public libraries. Submissions can also be made online or by filling in a submission form and posting or faxing it to the regional council. Emails can also be sent to mailroom@nrc.govt.nz