Less than a month until submissions on Proposed District Plan close

If you're thinking about making a submission on our Proposed District Plan you've got just over three weeks left. Submissions close 5pm on 14 March.

"We're getting lots of interest in the Plan and we know more submissions are coming, as many will leave it until the last week," says District Plan Manager Leigh Robcke.

So far there has been a lot of enquiry regarding the visitor accommodation rules in the Proposed Plan which allow for up to 6 paying guests to stay as a permitted activity. Under these rules if you want to accommodate more than 6 paying guests then a one off resource consent is required from the Council.

The rules about indigenous vegetation are also generating a lot of interest. People are concerned that there is no longer the ability to cut down indigenous vegetation, particular manuka and kanuka, for firewood. If you already have existing use rights, or cutting firewood purely for personal use and collecting under the 5m3 threshold, then a consent won't be needed.

"We urge people not to leave it to the last minute to make enquiries regarding the Plan and prepare their submission" says Leigh. "This is the formal process and submissions must be in by the closing date, 14 March." If you need help preparing a submission give the Friend of the Submitter, Annette Ellis in Customer Services a call on 07 868 0200.

To read the Proposed Plan or make an online submission go to www.tcdc.govt.nz/dpr

Hard copies are available at our Area Office and District Libraries.

ENDS

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