Plan to shape Horowhenua's future

Horowhenua ratepayers have the chance to shape the future of the district during the district plan review.

The project, Shaping Horowhenua – Our Place, Our Future, will take two years to complete and will set the ground rules for the next 10 years.

The review of the current district plan would outline what can and cannot be done, Horowhenua District Council's project manager David McCorkindale said.
"[The] plan affects the day-to-day lives of everyone, although for most people what the district plan achieves goes unnoticed."

The council would also create policies and rules to best achieve the community's vision, Mr McCorkindale said.

The existing district plan was prepared more than 10 years ago and is out of date and not designed to deal with pressures facing the Horowhenua, including environmental concerns.

New developments and new energy efficiencies were constantly battling with the expectation of preserving the natural features of the district, Mr McCorkindale said. The council is sending out information to ratepayers on the project.

This article appeared in the Manawatu Standard  15/12/2009