Media Release
29 November 2013

Urban Development Plan Change Adopted

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council this week approved Plan Change 4 - Managing the Built Environment.

The plan change is another significant milestone in the implementation of the Heretaunga Plains Urban Development Strategy (HPUDS) which was jointly developed by the Regional Council, Hastings District Council and Napier City Council. This strategy was adopted by all three councils in August 2010 for managing growth over the next 30 years.

“This plan change provides clear direction and guidance for managing urban growth, expansion, infill and the provision of infrastructure to service new residential, commercial and industrial developments in the region,” says Regional Council Chairman, Fenton Wilson.

Much of the urban growth policy is directed at the Heretaunga Plains and surrounding coastal and rural settlements. Wairoa and Central Hawke’s Bay districts and the Hastings District hinterland have different pressures which warrant less regional policy direction of urban growth.

The planning aims to avoid unnecessary encroachment onto the versatile land of the Heretaunga Plains, reduce risks from natural hazards while integrating residential and business land with transport networks and strategic infrastructure.

Hearings were held on 7 December 2012 to consider all submissions received on Change 4. Council’s decisions were issued on 26 March 2013. One appeal was lodged by Transpower NZ Ltd which was resolved in October 2013.

The plan change provisions will be integrated into the Regional Policy Statement and parts of the Hawke's Bay Regional Resource Management Plan, while City and District Councils will implement these provisions through their district plans.

More information on Plan Change 4 is on www.hbrc.govt.nz – search on managing the built environment or change 4.