Nominations Open for Development of Sounds Plan

A series of public meetings held in 2011 has spawned the development of a community ledprocess to develop an integrated management plan for the Marlborough Sounds (“Sounds Integrated Management Plan”, or SIMPlan). Nominations are now open for people interested in being appointed to the SIMPlan Implementation Group. The public meetings identified common areas of interest amongst a diverse number of interest groups, agencies and individuals. Key concerns were identified around the complex range of activities and often competing uses within the Marlborough Sounds. Ensuring the long term sustainability of the resource base was seen as integral to enable the on-going use and enjoyment of the Sounds.

The objective of SIMplan is not to duplicate any of the functions of other Government agencies of the Marlborough District Council. Rather, the aim is to establish a framework to guide activities in the Marlborough Sounds (and major catchments) that complements statutory plans. [refer map for area covered by SIMPlan]

Over the past 8 months, a working group chaired by an independent resource management consultant has been meeting regularly on a voluntary basis. This working group has developed terms of reference and a process for the development of the integrated management plan. The remaining task of the working group is to appoint a separate “implementation group” to progress the SIMPlan into an actual document. A new Trust has been set up to oversee the process (the Sounds Integrated Management Trust). The Trust is apolitical and is independent of any other interest groups or agencies.

The implementation group is a voluntary role, and is expected to be made up of 10-12 people. The group will be appointed and will meet based on individual skill sets rather than as representatives of any group. Although the Working Group did consider representative appointments, this was dismissed as being unworkable given the large variety and complexity of interest groups and agencies covering the Marlborough Sounds area.

However, interest groups and agencies are able to nominate individuals so long as they are not representing the nominating interest group or agency. Interest groups and agencies will have the opportunity for direct input into the SIMPlan development through a consultation phase.

Any person interested in putting their name forward for the implementation group can download copes of the relevant documents and a nomination form from www.simplan.org.nz. The closing date for nominations is Friday 2 November 2012.

ENDS

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