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Proposed Plan Change 4: Taraika Growth Area

Submissions closed on 01 February 2021, 05:00 PM

Taraika Master Plan thumbnail image - Artist impression of area.

Overview

Proposed Plan Change 4 focuses on rezoning an area of land to the east of Levin. The area in question totals over 420ha and is currently zoned Greenbelt Residential (Deferred). Greenbelt Residential zoning allows rural lifestyle development to occur.

In response to population growth, the Horowhenua Growth Strategy 2040 identified Taraika (formerly known as Gladstone Green) as a growth area. This means the area has been identified as potentially suitable to be rezoned from Greenbelt Residential to a residential/urban zoning to allow for residential development and associated non-residential development (eg supportive commercial activities). Under the proposed zoning, the area could contain approximately 2,500 dwellings, a commercial centre, public parks/reserves, and potentially a primary school.

In addition to the proposed rezoning, Council has prepared a Master Plan for the area in collaboration with a number of landowners within Taraika. The purpose of the master plan is to guide future growth to ensure that the area develops in a cohesive, connected way with provision for infrastructure and social amenities. This is important given the size of Taraika and the number of landowners involved.

Proposed Plan Change 4 seeks to give effect to this master plan.

Summary of Changes

The following amendments to the District Plan are proposed as part of Proposed Plan Change 4:

  • Remove Structure Plan 13 from the District Plan.
  • Introduce a new ‘Taraika Multi-Zone Precinct’ Chapter to the District Plan with a supporting structure plan and associated objectives, policies, and rules.
  • Rezone land within the Taraika Master Plan Area from Greenbelt Residential Deferred to Greenbelt Residential, Low Density Residential, Standard Residential, Medium Density Residential, Commercial and Open Space.
  • Introduce new subdivision rules within the Taraika Growth Area.
  • Introduce some new bulk and location rules within the Taraika Growth Area.
  • Introduce new rules relating to commercial activities within the Taraika Growth Area.
  • Update Planning Maps 7-8 and 30-33.

Public Notification and Submissions

Proposed Plan Change 4 was publicly notified on 16 November 2020. Submissions closed at 5pm on Monday, 1 February 2021.

The Section 32 Report, technical reports and Proposed District Plan chapters are all available to view below.

Discussions

Proposed Plan Change 4 - Taraika Growth Area - Section 32 Report(PDF, 1MB)

Proposed Plan Change 4 - Taraika Growth Area - Section 32 Report Appendices(PDF, 19MB)

Proposed Plan Change 4 - 6A Objectives & Policies: Taraika Multi-Zone Precinct(PDF, 123KB)

Proposed Plan Change 4 - 15A Rules: Taraika Multi-Zone Precinct(PDF, 185KB)

Proposed Plan Change 4 - Taraika Structure Plan 013(PDF, 4MB)

Proposed Plan Change 4 - Taraika Growth Area - Planning Maps(PDF, 14MB)

Hard copies of these documents are available to view at the following locations:

  • Horowhenua District Council office: 126 Oxford Street. Hours: 8am to 5pm on Monday to Friday.
  • Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō: 10 Bath Street, Levin. Hours: 9am to 5.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am to 9pm on Wednesday, 10am to 4pm on Saturday and 1pm to 4pm on Sunday.
  • Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom: 92 Main Street, Foxton. Hours: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday.
  • Shannon Library: Plimmer Terrace. Hours: 10am to 12 noon, 1pm to 5pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 12 noon Saturday.

What is a Plan Change?

A plan change is a change to a District Plan, which is a public process requiring research, evaluation and consultation. A plan change can be initiated by us or by members of the public (private plan change). Examples of possible plan changes include:

  • Rezoning of land.
  • Addition of a building to the schedule of heritage buildings.
  • Amendments to rules.

What is the Plan Change process?

The RMA outlines the plan change process that we are required to follow. Consultation and community involvement, including pre-consultation, notification, submission and hearing processes, are important steps in the plan change process.

  1. Initial issue identification and pre-consultation process. 
  2. Plan change drafting (eg preparing proposed rules, objectives and policies) and assessment of the proposal (s32 evaluation report).
  3. Plan change approved by the Council for public notification.
  4. Plan change publicly notified for submissions.
  5. Submissions summarised.
  6. Summary of submissions publicly notified for further submissions (cross submissions).
  7. Public notification of summary of submissions for further submissions (10 working days).
  8. Submissions and further submissions analysed. In some cases further technical information may be needed. Preparation of s42a report (recommendations on the submissions).
  9. Hearings.
  10. Public notification of decisions.

Once decisions are notified, any party who made a submission has the opportunity to appeal all or part of the decision to the Environment Court.

What is a Hearing?

Plan Changes are heard by a Hearings Panel. The role of the Hearings Panel is to make a decision on the proposed plan change, including making decisions on points raised in submissions. Members of the Hearings Panel must be accredited Hearings Commissioners and can include Elected Members of the Council as well as independent commissioners. Often Plan Change Hearings Panels will include both.

Anyone can attend a hearing, but only some people can speak. The following people can speak at a Plan Change hearing:

  • the applicant (if relevant) and anyone presenting evidence on their behalf
  • submitters who have requested to be heard and anyone presenting evidence on their behalf
  • the Planner on behalf of the Council
  • any other experts presenting evidence on behalf of the council who had a report circulated before the hearing
  • any committee member or commissioner(s).

You can find further information about the hearings process on the Ministry for the Environment website.

If you have any questions about Proposed Plan Change 4 then you can email them to districtplan@horowhenua.govt.nz or call us on 06 366 0999 and ask to speak to a member of the Strategic Planning Team. 

Contact details

Lauren Baddock
06 366 0999
districtplan@horowhenua.govt.nz

Consultation status

Status Date
Public notification of Proposed Plan Change 16/11/2020
Submissions open 16/11/2020
Submissions close 01/02/2021

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