Council being grossly unfair to Johnsonville
 

PRESS STATEMENT   Wellington City Councillor Helene Ritchie Northern Ward            23 November 09

Council stonewalling is responsible  for  the refusal to extend the submission deadline of November 27 for District Plan

Change 72 affecting Johnsonville and the Northern Suburbs.

It is grossly unfair to Johnsonville residents not to do so.

I am as frustrated and angry as the Johnsonville/Northern residents are.

So far I have been met with a bureaucratic brick wall.

 In October, I asked for an extension to mid February 09 in support of those who asked me to request that.

I was met with a refusal but no sound reasons from either Council staff or Councillor Andy Foster.

I asked for a two month extension of  time  saying that this would be a tiny fraction of the length of time that this District Plan Change will be in place, (the next ten years) and in any case, the matter was likely to extend over a long period before finalisation as it was likely to be appealed to the Environment Court.

The impact of District Plan Change 72, on people’s lives could be dramatic-“ghetoisation” has been claimed. Certainly significant change could occur.

At the very least people have a right in the statutory process to have sufficient time to have their voices and their concerns heard.

The statutory time given is insufficient in this case.

People  who wish to make comment have lives to lead and livelihoods to earn. They do not have time to down tools in accordance with a bureaucratic timetable, come to grips with a highly complex and all pervasive new District Plan ( Town Plan), understand the plethora of consultations and which one really counts, and then make constructive comment.

I have a further request regarding this and am awaiting response for Council officers tomorrow.

As far as I can see the only reason not to grant an extension (which in the recent past has been done-Variation 11, and Thorndon Heritage amongst others), is for bureaucratic convenience.

Response to my earlier request was, “It would clearly impact on the District Plan Team’s work programme significantly.”

Councillor Foster.

That is simply not good enough when people fear for their own homes, living and residential environment. Residents have rights, and where and how they live, and how their properties are to be affected are most fundamental.

I will continue to seek an extension.

In the  meantime  I encourage anybody who wishes to put in a submission by the present deadline.of November 27, and ask to be heard. A submission can later be withdrawn if somebody wishes, and the detail of the submission can be expanded on later.

But, until/if further notice, it is essential that the submission goes in by the due date.”

ends

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