27 May 2014

Hundreds of Coromandel property owners affected by draconian new rules

Coromandel property owners have formed a new alliance to challenge proposed rules that severely restrict the use of privately-owned land.

The Coromandel Property Owners Alliance is also urging the hundreds of people affected by the proposals to have their say before it’s too late.

This week Thames Coromandel District Council (TCDC) will post a summary of the submissions it has already received on its Proposed District Plan which includes the establishment of multiple restrictive “overlays” on private property.

“We have formally established the Coromandel Property Owners Alliance (CPOA) to oppose these measures and we are fully committed to opposing them all the way through the district plan process,” says Coromandel Property Owners Alliance president Graeme Ready.

CPOA and its members say many property owners on the Peninsula may be unaware of just how draconian the changes proposed by Council are. The group is available to support and assist anyone affected and encourages property owners to become familiar with the Plan and make a submission.

“It is not too late,” Mr Ready says. “The summary of submissions already received by Council will be posted on the TCDC website and anyone whose land is affected can make a submission then, even if they have not previously done so.”

Council has already had overwhelming opposition to earlier proposals to implement Significant Natural Areas on private land when more than 200 people attended a public meeting to express their anger over the total lack of consultation by Council.

However, TCDC is forging ahead with this new highly unpopular overlay scheme that will essentially see hundreds of hectares of private land affected.

“CPOA aims to ensure an effective balance between the reasonable needs of individuals, families and communities, and the environment in which they live and work so that all have a sustainable future on the Coromandel,” Mr Ready says.

More information can be accessed on the Alliance’s website at www.cpoa.co.nz.

ENDS

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