Rodney District Council is seeking public feedback on its recently released draft Waimauku Structure Plan.
“A key aim is to preserve Waimauku’s rural village character, which local residents have said they like about the town,” says RDC’s District Planning Manager Peter Vari.
He says Council established a stakeholder reference group and consulted widely to develop the draft Structure Plan. It sets out a vision of ‘slow growth’ for Waimauku and how this will develop over the next 20 years.
“It is clear that there is going to be some growth in Waimauku, but residents have indicated through the consultation process that they want any development to occur gradually.”
Mr Vari says this slow growth will enable Council to control where development occurs, so the village feel of the township can be retained. It will also allow Council to concentrate major infrastructure provision in identified growth areas in the west such as Kumeu-Huapai.
The Structure Plan identifies the Waimauku Station Road area as a possible site for shops and office activities over the longer term. The town is expected to be connected to a public wastewater system in around 10 years time. Once this has occurred, the Plan proposes that there be limited residential expansion around southeast and southwest Waimauku, and also some infill housing.
“Development around the Renall’s Hill and Cell Phone Tower Hill areas will be restricted and the rural areas surrounding Waimauku will be maintained to separate it from the neighbouring towns of Kumeu – Huapai, Muriwai and Woodhill.”
The Plan also identifies possible locations for new public toilets and for the future relocation of the train station.
A project newsletter with information about the Structure Plan has been widely distributed. Copies of this newsletter can also be viewed at the Huapai Service Centre.
Council has set up a display in Waimauku – between Stationery World and the Red Crayon – during November, which has information on the Structure Plan. Three Open Days are also being held at the shop on:
- Wednesday 12 November (from 12pm – 6pm), and
- Saturday 15 November (from 10am – 2pm), and
- Tuesday 18 November (from 4pm – 8pm).
“People can drop in and visit during these open days and Council staff will be on hand to answer any questions about the Plan,” Mr Vari says.
The New Zealand Transport Agency will also be consulting on the State Highway 16/ Muriwai Road intersection upgrade. NZTA representatives will be present at the Wednesday and Saturday Open Days to answer any questions about the intersection project.
Submissions are welcomed on the Draft Structure Plan, which is open for public consultation until 12 December. Hearings on the Plan are expected to occur in early 2009, following the close of submissions.
A copy of the full Structure Plan can obtained from the Council by phoning 0800 426 5169 or alternatively downloaded here.
To view the Waimuku Structure Plan - Future Land Use Map, click here.
More information
Contact: Peter Vari
Phone: 0800 4265169
Email: peter.vari@rodney.govt.nz