Proposed District Plan - Appeals Update

In April 2016 the Council's decisions on the Proposed District Plan were notified. Seventy-two appeals and 410 Section 274 parties to those appeals were lodged with the Environment Court on the Council's decisions.

Judge Harland is presiding over the Environment Court proceedings with assistance from Judge Kirkpatrick. Led by Commissioner Leijen, several commissioners have been allocated to assist with mediation sessions. At the direction of the Court the appeals have been assigned to topics for effective case management.

In its Second Case Management Memo the Court issued directions authorising negotiations between the Council and appellants. Since then TCDC staff have been actively meeting with appellants on a 'without prejudice' basis and has engaged in court assisted mediation.Through that process the court has now issued consent orders settling seven appeals.

To view the Consent Orders and updated Plan provisions, click here. This website page will be updated as further Consent Orders are issued.

Moving forward, TCDC staff have further 'without prejudice' meetings scheduled with appellants through till March 2017. A number of mediation sessions are also scheduled. It is hoped that these meetings will result in appeals being settled by consent orders, rather than elevating to a formal court hearing.

Finally, 2016 has been a particularly busy year for all involved in the District Plan. With Variation 1 - Natural Character hearings in February, the District Plan Hearings Panel recommended decisions to Council in April, appeals to the Environment Court and s.274 notices (72 and 410 respectively) in the middle of the year and many 'without prejudice' meetings and Environment Court assisted mediation through the later part of the year, we are all ready for a well-earned break.

2017 is already shaping up as another busy year but, until then, the District Plan team (Leigh, Kirsten, Bruce, Anna/Lisa) wish everyone a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.

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