Waikato Regional Council has received 61 submissions on the recently notified variation to Healthy Rivers/Wai Ora: Proposed Waikato Regional Plan Change 1.

This brings the total of submissions on the proposed plan change to 1084. The council received more than 1000 submissions to the plan change when it was originally notified in 2016, and these remain valid. Submissions on the variation closed on Wednesday, 23 May.

The variation proposed the reinstatement of an area in the northeast of the Waikato that was withdrawn from the plan during consultation in 2016. This area was withdrawn so the council could further engage with iwi to address their concerns and interests.

The variation that was open for submission included changes as a result of conversations with Pare Hauraki, and proposed a 20 month extension to some implementation dates.

Waikato Regional Council Science and Strategy director Tracey May said the RMA further submission process, informally known as the cross submission phase, would be sought in mid to late August regarding the issues raised in the 1084 submissions.

“People have raised a range of issues that cover all aspects of the proposed plan,” Ms May said.

“Submitters and other affected parties will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the suggestions made by other submitters. This information will be used by an independent hearings panel to make recommendations to the council on how the plan can be improved or changed.”

The hearings by the independent panel are due to start at the end of the year.

Further information on the variation is available at waikatoregion.govt.nz/healthyrivers.

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