MEDIA RELEASE
Orewa, 28 October 2008.

The path is open for Hollywoodto come to Rodney.

Last week the Rodney District Council’s District Plan Committee voted to allow a variation to the District Plan that would enable Kelly Park in Wainui to be designated a special zone for film production.

The Committee heard that an integrated film village on the 338 hectare site would bring significant economic benefits locally, regionally and nationally.

The Committee was told that the film industry could be a significant contributor to Rodney’s economic and employment growth.

Kelly Park Film Village has already provided studio facilities for major international film features such The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and there are at least two other film and animation studios in the district.

The decision paves the way for Kelly Park to use the site for film production without the necessity to seek resource consents for individual productions.

However, the proposal was not without its detractors. Various submitters called into question the impact of light, traffic and sound on the largely rural environment.

But the committee found that on balance there was insufficient evidence presented to justify not proceeding with the proposal. It did, however, adopt some mitigation measures—mainly in regard to traffic and visual impact.

Committee chair Gaye Harding described the decision as “a great one for Rodney.”

She said the film industry was by its nature high profile internationally, and New Zealandalready had a reputation of hosting high quality productions.

“Rodney is already very much part of that mix. Now the way is open for us to make an even greater contribution.”

The Council's decision is open to appeal for a three week period.

ENDS.

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