Comment from Mayor and Deputy Mayor

Mayor Len Brown has described the release today of the recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel (IHP) on the proposed Unitary Plan as a major milestone for Auckland and the panel should be congratulated for what has been a monumental task.

“We’ve had four years of debate and everyone has had ample opportunity to have their say. The process from here is that we as a council need to consider the panel’s recommendations and make final decisions,” says Len Brown.

Deputy Mayor and Auckland Development Committee Chair Penny Hulse says the panel’s recommendations must now be accepted in part or in full or rejected with clear reasons.

“There is now a very clear legal process for councillors to follow. This is a crucial time for Auckland as we consider the recommendations of the panel.”

Auckland Council has 20 working days to consider the recommendations of the IHP and has to publicly notify its decisions by August 19. Councillors will begin their consideration of the recommendations on August 10 and there will be no further comment on the recommendations until that point.

ENDS

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