15 September 2014

Media advisory

Final decision on Ruakura Development Plan Change

The independent Board of Inquiry considering the Ruakura Development Plan Change has released its final report and decision.

The Board has approved the plan change request but with amendments.

Following the release of the draft report and decision on 5 August 2014, a total of 64 comments were received from 8 parties.The Board has deliberated on the comments and made consequential amendments before confirming their Final Report and Decision.

The final report and decision has been sent to all parties involved in the application. It is also available on the EPA website here: www.epa.govt.nz/Resource-management/Ruakura/Pages/default.aspx

ENDS

Background

This proposal was directed by the Minister for the Environment to an independent Board of Inquiry in July 2013.

The proposal was notified in November 2013 and a summary of submissions was notified in January 2014. A total of 83 submissions and 21 further submissions were received.

A public hearing was held between 6 May and 12 June 2014 at the Kingsgate Hotel, Hamilton.

The Ruakura Development Plan Change Board of Inquiry is chaired by Environment Judge Melanie Harland. The other three members of the Board are Jenny Hudson, Gerry Te Kapa Coates, and Environment Commissioner Jim Hodges.

The Board of Inquiry is independent of the EPA and of Ministers. All decisions and reports are made and written by the Board and can be appealed to the High Court on points of law only and cannot be overturned by Ministers.

You can read more about this proposal and the process followed on the EPA website here:

http://www.epa.govt.nz/Resource-management/Ruakura/Pages/default.aspx

Learn more about the EPA’s role in managing applications for nationally significant proposals.

http://www.epa.govt.nz/Resource-management/about-rm/Pages/default.aspx

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