Clevedon CARES
25 August 2006
Clevedon Activists Welcome Dates
-----------
Clevedon CARES has welcomed the setting of dates for key local planning
processes.
"Manukau City Council has informed us that submissions on the Proposed Plan
Change 13, required for the development of the 'Wairoa River Maritime
Village', will receive their official hearing during the first two weeks of
November 2006.
"Council has also told us that its Rural Strategy will be discussed during
the first two weeks of October this year, "says Clevedon CARES spokesperson,
Mary Whitehouse.
"We are pleased to have some dates at last, as they relate to matters of
direct and obvious significance both to Clevedon residents and to those
living in our surrounding countryside.
"Our hope is that these processes will result in the wholesale rejection of
the Proposed Plan Change, ensuring that the Wairoa River project does not go
ahead," she says.
The Wairoa River scheme would involve building 297 homes in close proximity
to each other on man-made canals near the river's estuary, to the North of
Clevedon.
Critics say that the scheme would more than double the local population,
placing a huge strain on infrastructure. They also fear the project would
destroy Clevedon's unique village-like atmosphere and compromise the scenic,
rural character of the surrounding area.
The canal development was comprehensively rejected by local residents in the
second round of submissions on the Proposed Plan Change. Over 240
submissions from the greater Clevedon area opposed the scheme, compared to
only 40 in favour - a ratio of 6 to 1.
"Despite the breadth of local opposition, the canal development was, to our
surprise, included in the recently released Draft Rural Strategy. Council
spokespeople have subsequently denied that the project's inclusion in the
draft implied it was a 'done deal', "says Mary Whitehouse.
"Council has asked for feedback on the draft. Just to make sure that the
canal project doesn't inadvertently get left in the Rural Strategy,
opponents should use the feedback forms to press for its removal," she adds.
The Draft Rural Strategy and feedback forms are available from some public
libraries or online at www.manukau.govt.nz/draft_RuralGrowthStrategy.htm.
The deadline for public feedback is Friday 1st September.
"We note that Council allowed a very short timeframe of just one month for
feedback. Moreover, the Draft Rural Strategy's existence was only notified
in the council's own new publication, which was not delivered to many homes
or PO Boxes.
"These factors have certainly not helped the feedback process. We would
nevertheless urge everyone concerned about the Clevedon area's future to
take advantage of this additional opportunity to have their say," says Mary
Whitehouse.
ENDS
www.clevedoncares.co.nz