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4 February

Media Release

Changes to rural subdivision and land use rules proposed

The Tasman District Council is planning to change some of the rules that apply to rural land to better protect the District’s best productive land, while also offering greater flexibility for landowners.

Council Environment and Planning Committee Chair Cr Stuart Bryant said that during a review of the current rules community feedback identified some issues and challenges with the way different activities are managed in rural areas.

“Those comments led us to look particularly at the effect of subdivision on productive land, the impact buildings have on rural character, and the way business activities and associated noise and traffic are controlled.”

Cr Bryant said the proposals include changes to subdivision rules in the Rural 1 and 2 zones, more flexible housing provisions that better cater for co-operative living and modern family living requirements, guidance and controls on business activities in the Rural 1 zone, and at the same time, ensuring rural land is protected for rural productive or related uses in the Rural 1 and 2 zones.

“One of the main changes relates to subdivision. At the moment landowners can subdivide ‘as-of-right’ in the Rural 1 and 2 zones as long as the site meets minimum area criteria. What we’re looking at is allowing landowners one final opportunity to subdivide by right, after which further subdivision of that land will be discouraged. That change is intended to limit further fragmentation of land with the greatest productive potential.”

Cr Bryant said briefing sessions on the proposals were planned in February to give those interested the chance to learn more and ask questions of Council staff.

The sessions will be held from 5.00 pm to 8.30 pm on:

• Tuesday 16 February at the Wakefield Fire Station

• Wednesday 17 February at the Takaka Fire Station

• Tuesday 23 February at the Motueka Hall supper room.

Staff will give a brief presentation about the key changes at 6.00 pm.

Submissions on the proposed changes are open until Monday 14 March 2016. Submission forms are available online at tasman.govt.nz/feedback or at any Council service centre.

ENDS

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