New plan changes proposed for Long Bay

Plans for Long Bay's future to enable development in the area while protecting its natural environment are a step closer.

And the local community will have an opportunity to comment on them when the North Shore City Council releases the second stage of its structure plan for the Long Bay area late next month (May).

The plan creates a framework for a new residential community in the area with a mix of housing types and densities as well as an attractive and functional street network. It also seeks to preserve and extend native bush, protect natural streams, establish reserves with pedestrian and cycle access, and protect the landscape around the Long Bay Regional Park. Reducing the effects of stormwater on streams and the marine environment, and limiting the scale of residential development in the upper part of Long Bay are also addressed.

North Shore City strategy and finance committee chairperson, Tony Holman, says it is essential that this area which is highly valued both locally and regionally is well planned.

"We must ensure that the unique and natural qualities of Long Bay and its adjacent park are protected while enabling appropriate and carefully planned development to take place," he says.

"People will be able to review and comment on these plans by lodging a written submission to our council."

The structure plan has been prepared after extensive planning, research, geotechnical assessments and consultation. The submissions will be considered before any changes are made to the city's District Plan.

The council's strategic development manager, Lesley Jenkins, says North Shore City has undertaken a lot of planning and discussion to reach this point.

"We've taken an integrated approach and consulted with key stakeholders to create an appropriate and sustainable plan for the Long Bay area," she says.

The first stage (Variation 64) of the structure plan, which was publicly notified in October 2001, will be replaced with the proposed changes (Plan Change 6 and Variation 66) which go into more detail. The new plan changes still incorporate a strategy for how land around Long Bay can be developed, but also create zones for the area, as well as rules and development controls.

North Shore City's District Plan was made operative in part in June 2002 following an Environment Court order and the council's official confirmation. The proposed changes will be combined when they are publicly notified but will include a plan change (Plan Change 6) to the operative parts of the District Plan and variation (Variation 66) to the non-operative parts.

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