2018 set to be a historically significant year - HDC
2018 set to be a historically significant year - 18 December 2017
A raft of projects, plans and
strategies that will determine the future of the Horowhenua
District will be presented to the public during the first
six months of 2018.
Horowhenua District Mayor Michael Feyen says in the past two years Horowhenua has been growing at a faster rate than predicted.
“If we don’t get on with the planning then we’ll be short of housing, tenants will face large rent increases and our schools will become crowded.”
“It’s already difficult to cross Levin’s main street,” he says, “and most of our highway network is classified as high crash rate zone – somethings got to give, and 2018 is the year when we will gain clarity around that.”
Mayor Feyen says the face of our district and towns will change for two main reasons. The expressway and earthquake-prone building legislation which affects all public buildings in Levin, Foxton, Shannon and elsewhere in the district.
“Residents should brace themselves – there will be gaps in our streets in the years ahead.”
“We can’t bury our heads in the sand though. Hopefully, through the Levin Town Centre project we can make the most of a bad situation and create a town centre that our children’s children will be proud of,” he says.
Council Growth Response Manager Daniel Haigh says the
news that NZ Transport Agency will carry out its second
round of engagement is welcome.
“Realistically, the
expressway is six to seven years away – Council will take
it into account in the planning along with any improvement
in rail services. But we need to act now if we want to help
make Levin town centre a more attractive and safer place to
be, and if we are to have enough land across the district to
accommodate growth.”
Group Manager Strategy and Development David McCorkindale says residents could feel a little bombarded.
“We had a very successful pre-engagement for our 2018-38 Long Term Plan, and you can expect a lot more in the New Year,” he says.
“In
the future, people will look back and realise the look and
feel of the towns they live in, and the services they have
access to, were largely determined by the community in
2018,” says Mr McCorkindale.
What’s planned for
2018?
2018-2038
Long Term Plan: This sets out the Council’s
vision and aspirations for the district over the next 20
years. The key issues that will be consulted on
include:
After a significant pre-engagement programme
with the community during October and November this year,
our Long Term Plan is being drafted and audited. Key topics
will be updated throughout this process and the public can
expect to know more in the New Year.
•
Why should I care? The Long Term Plan
influences what the district will look like in the future.
It outlines key decisions about the projects that will be
delivered, the levels of service provided, how much these
will cost, and how they will be funded. These decisions will
determine the level of rates that each landowner will pay
over the next 20 years. For those renting, rates are covered
by your rent payments.
• What’s next?
Council will consult the community about the key
issues and options in February - March 2018. This will be
the opportunity to have your say before elected members make
their final decisions about the plan.
Horowhenua Growth Strategy 2040:
We are growing faster than at any other time in the
past quarter of a century. Because of growth pressures,
combined with our projected population increase, Council
Officers have being reviewing the Horowhenua Development
Plan 2008 and updating it. The Growth Strategy looks out to
2040 and identifies how the district can accommodate the
projected population increase and new businesses.
• Why should I care? The
Growth Strategy will signal where the future growth areas
are likely to be and ultimately how the District will change
and grow. The new growth areas could involve your land or
they might involve your neighbour’s land.
•
What’s next? Community consultation on
the Draft Growth Strategy 2040 will happen in February -
March 2018. This will be a chance for you to give feedback
on the new areas that have been proposed.
Ōtaki to North of Levin Expressway – second
round of consultation: The Ōtaki to North
of Levin expressway is an NZ Transport Agency (NZTA)
project. NZTA is proposing to build a four-lane expressway
from Taylors Road (north of Ōtaki) to north of
Levin. It will address a number of issues including road
safety and transport efficiency, and result in a bypass of
Levin.
NZTA has confirmed the second round of consultation will now occur in February next year.
• Why should I care? The
proposed routes and interchanges could include your property
or home. There are strong links between this project and
other projects currently being investigated by Council,
particularly the Levin Town Centre and Horowhenua Growth
Strategy 2040.
• What’s
next? Community consultation will be carried out in
February 2018 – at this stage no time-frame has been
confirmed by NZTA around the decision on a preferred
corridor or construction dates.
Levin Town Centre: We have a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to redefine the future of
Levin’s town centre. This is because of factors including
the potential expressway, and transportation projects
further south already underway or completed, contributing to
unprecedented growth in Horowhenua. The project will also
look at issues facing the town centre, including changes in
retail, and the effects of earthquake-prone buildings. The
project’s focus will be identifying the issues, the
desired outcomes, and viable options to deliver a vibrant
and independent Levin Town Centre to meet the future needs
of our community.
• Why should I
care? This project could include actions that
affect your retail property. The project has many aims
including improving safety and connectivity and creating a
more welcoming space for locals and visitors. If Levin is
bypassed our prime retail district will need to attract
people off the expressway.
• What’s
next? In March, 2018 Council will talk directly
with business and building owners. In April, there will be
public consultation so the final plan developed considers
the ideas and opinions of residents.
Earthquake Prone Buildings – Priority Thoroughfares: The new Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2016 ensures the way buildings are managed for future earthquakes is consistent across the country. The Act makes it Council’s role to identify all potentially earthquake-prone buildings within set timeframes, assign an earthquake rating if applicable, and put the information into a national register. The first stage is to identify those buildings that are a higher risk to life and safety – these are known as priority buildings. We identify them by first identifying priority thoroughfares (roads and paths), and this is where we need your help.
• Why should I care?
We’ve all seen the damage that occurred in
Christchurch, Kaikōura and Wellington – and just like
those places, Horowhenua is in a high earthquake zone. That
means we need to get prepared if we are to save lives when
the big one happens. The new law affects all buildings open
to the public, such as police stations, schools, libraries
and shops. It might affect your building or a building you
use and that building may have to be strengthened or
demolished.
• What’s next?
In March 2018, Council will consult with the public
to identify thoroughfares with enough vehicle or pedestrian
traffic to warrant prioritisation. Once that has been done,
all buildings on those routes will be assessed. Then the
focus will shift to all other potentially earthquake-prone
buildings.
Draft Waste Management Minimisation Plan: Every six years we have to review our waste minimisation plans, we need to hear your thoughts on how we as a community manage our waste and how we can work together to minimise the amount of waste that goes to landfill.
• Why should I
care? The Plan will determine levels of service in
regards to waste and recycling options that are available to
you. It’s your chance to influence how we deal with waste
and recycling in the District.
•
What’s next? In February and March next
year, Council will consult with the community on the draft
plan. There will be an opportunity to talk to your
submission, Councillors will then consider the feedback and
recommend changes before it is adopted.
Mr McCorkindale says work is also underway on Horowhenua 2040 – the overarching strategic vision of the district and community engagement will occur on this in 2018 as well.