June 16, 2004

Greening the red tape for parks and public transport

North Shore City's District Plan will be changed to provide for new reserve land and a streamlined process for building bus shelters.

The council's strategy and finance committee yesterday (July 15) approved two plan change decisions: Plan Change 3 - making more land available for recreation and Plan 4 - improving provisions for bus shelters.

Committee chairperson, Tony Holman, says the changes turn red tape to green.

"Ensuring new reserves in the city are properly zoned will make it easier for people to use and enjoy these areas of green open space," he says.

The decision means 90 parcels of land in the city which have been rezoned for recreation will be included in the District Plan. Most of this land was vested to council as reserve contributions as part of recent subdivisions. The land's topography and characteristics were considered to make sure it was given an appropriate zoning.

Councillor Holman says further District Plan changes will be publicly notified in the future as more reserve land becomes available.

"And with a streamlined process for bus shelters, the costs and delays in building them will be reduced giving more certainty to passengers and the local community.

"This is another green light for public transport in North Shore City."

Providing conveniently located and well-designed bus shelters is an important part of the council's commitment to an effective transport system that caters for passengers' needs. The streamlined process means the council will not have to apply for resource consent to approve new bus shelters. People who live nearby will be consulted under the Local Government Act 2002.

North Shore City's District Plan outlines how the city's natural and man-made resources are managed, and the way land can be used or developed in the city. It identifies objectives for looking after and improving the environment, and policies and rules for achieving them.

Councillor Holman says the council will continue to improve the District Plan and seek people's views on proposed changes.

"Planning rules are essential to protecting our environment. Our latest changes reflect our community's desire to turn our red tape green to promote parks and public transport."

The North Shore City District Plan can be viewed on the website www.northshorecity.govt.nz.

ENDS

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