Ruakura plan change open for submissions

20 November 2013

The Environmental Protection Authority is offering information to people who think they might make a submission an application to change the Hamilton City District plan to allow for development in Ruakura.

The EPA is holding a public information session at 7pm next Monday (editors: 25 November 2013) to explain the board of inquiry process, and answer people’s questions.

The proposal has come from Tainui Group Holdings and Chedworth Properties, who want the current Hamilton City District Plan to be changed to allow them to develop 389 hectares of land at Ruakura.

Their plan is to develop the site for a range of different activities, including a transport hub (also known as an inland port), industry, suburban centre and housing.

This application has been referred to an independent board of inquiry, and is now open for submissions for the next four weeks (editors: public submissions open from Wednesday 20 November 2013).

The EPA’s General Manager for Applications and Assessments, Sarah Gardner, says anyone who wants to can make a submission.

“Submissions are a vital part of the board of inquiry process, and allow everyone to voice their opinions.”

“The easiest way to make a submission is online, through the EPA website (www.epa.govt.nz), but people can also choose to make their submission in writing”.

The EPA has also appointed Julia Baker from the consultancy Sync Environmental as the independent “Friend of Submitter”.

Her role is to help people understand the process and how to access information, and she’ll be holding drop-in sessions to give people one-on-one support on how to participate in the board of inquiry process.

Submissions on the proposal, which is officially titled the Proposed Ruakura Development Plan Change, must be received by the EPA by 5pm on Wednesday 18 December 2013.

This proposal is different to Hamilton City Council’s consultation on its proposed District Plan, which is a separate process and does not involve the EPA.

ENDS

Notes for editors

Details of information evening:

·         7.00pm on Monday 25 November 2013

·         Don Llewellyn Pavilion, Waikato University, Gate 3B, Silverdale Road, Hamilton.

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