Proposed District Plan Hearings - Directions from the Chairperson

The Proposed District Plan Hearings commence on 10-12 February 2015 in the Thames Council Chambers, and cover the topics of Biodiversity, Subdivision and Earthworks.

At the Hearings last year, the Hearings Panel were accommodating of submitters and lenient with the amount of time allocated to speakers.

The topics of Biodiversity, Subdivision and Earthworks have more submitters wishing to speak and the Panel have issued the following directive to the District Plan team.

1. To meet the requirements of Section 41B of the Resource Management Act 1991 for the scheduled hearing dates in February 2015 the following actions will need to be completed:

1.1 The Council will need to circulate the Section 42A Reports/Section 32AA Further Evaluation Reports (Hearing Reports) no later than 23 January 2015 for the hearings scheduled to commence on 10 February; and no later than 10 February for the hearings scheduled to start on 24 February 2015.

1.2 Submitters and further submitters who are calling expert evidence will be required to provide briefs of evidence to the hearings administrator no later than 2 February 2015, for the hearings scheduled to commence on 10 February; and no later than 17 February for the hearings scheduled to start on 24 February 2015.

2. The panel intends to use Section 41C of the Resource Management Act 1991 for the scheduled hearing dates in February 2015 to direct submitters and further submitters who are presenting evidence or making a representation to:

2.1 Present it within the time limited allotted to them by the Hearings Administrator.

2.2 Limit the matters orally presented to those matters where the submitters and further submitters:

2.2.1 Want change (cogent reasons justifying change will be required).

2.2.2 Statements of support for changes requested by submitters (if further reasons are to be proffered).

Written statements in support of changes recommended in the section 42A/Section 32AA Report can be tabled.

For more information, go to www.tcdc.govt.nz/dpr

© Scoop Media