The future look of Horowhenua

The future look of Horowhenua is in the hands of the community and the Council are trying to make the whole process sound sexy.

Shaping Horowhenua - Our Place, Our Future is the name given to the project which will become the basis for the next District Plan. It's not about how well a square peg will fit in a round hole however that's what can happen if rules are not put in place that reflect the community’s needs and aspirations according to Review Manager David McCorkindale.

"The existing District Plan was prepared more than 10 years ago and is out of date. It is not designed to deal with the current pressures facing the Horowhenua including those wider environmental concerns such as climate change."

New developments and new energy efficiencies are constantly battling with the expectation of preserving the natural features of the District, he says.

Earlier this year the Council started a process to change elements of the current District Plan to protect natural features and landscapes.

The controversial plan received opposition from power companies, telecommunication organisations and local farmers, while being praised by Government departments such as the Department of Conservation, iwi and individuals.

The Shaping Horowhenua project will set the ground rules for how the community want to see Horowhenua shaped over the next ten years, Mr McCorkindale says. "The Horowhenua District Plan affects the day to day lives of everyone, although for most people what the District Plan achieves goes unnoticed. It can be the difference between whether a garage can be built right up against the boundary, or if land can be subdivided, or whether certain activities like home businesses can occur in residential areas."

Mr McCorkindale says the project is in its early stages and it's where some of the big ideas are needed to really work out a vision for the community.

"It's for people of all backgrounds and ages to tell us how they want to see the district develop and grow. It is important for people to realise they have a unique opportunity to really influence the future of Horowhenua."

Survey forms are available from the Council's Service Centres in Levin and Foxton, the Horowhenua Libraries or can be downloaded here (PDF, 610 KB).

This article appeared in the Horowhenua Mail 17 December 2009.