Independent commissioners appointed to 2GP Hearings Panel

Dunedin (Wednesday, 3 February 2016) – Dunedin City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of David Collins and Gary Rae as the two independent commissioners on The Proposed Dunedin City District Plan Hearings Panel – Te Paepae Kaiwawao Motukake O Te Mr Collins, who will chair the panel, and Mr Rae join Councillors David Benson-Pope, Aaron Hawkins, Jinty MacTavish and Kate Wilson on the six-member panel to consider submissions on the Proposed Second Generation District Plan (2GP).

Mr Collins, from Banks Peninsula, has 40 years' experience in the planning industry and has been principal of his own business, David Collins Consulting Ltd, since 2000. He has been a hearings commissioner for 23 councils with well over 600 plans, changes, designations, heritage orders and consents. Mr Collins also has a lengthy record of local government experience, serving as Chairman of the former Mt Herbert County Council and as Deputy Mayor of the former Banks Peninsula District Council.

Mr Rae is a resource management consultant with over 30 years' experience in the planning industry and is currently a Director of Incite planning consultants based in Nelson. He currently holds the education portfolio on the Board of the NZ Planning Institute, liaising with universities to co-ordinate the accreditation of planning and resource management courses for planning students. Mr Rae's work on the Port Nelson Noise Project earned him a Best Practice Award from the NZ Planning Institute in 2012, while his experience as a hearings commissioner includes, amongst others, decision making on new fault hazard zones in Westland, a new national cycle trail in Nelson and Picton's new sewerage system.

The Hearing Panel's role is to listen to information presented by DCC planners and those wishing to speak to their 2GP submission, including any expert evidence, consider all of the submissions and reports then make decisions on them.

Hearings are programmed to begin in late April and are expected to run for several months.

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