Rodney Mayor Penny Webster has rejected claims that the Council has been engaged in ‘secret deals’ on a proposal to introduce a West Coast Rural Policy Area.
Mrs Webster says that the allegations by Federated Farmers that ‘back alley deals’ were done to develop the Variation are completely untrue and highly irresponsible.
The Council is undertaking public consultation at present on a proposed Variation to its District Plan which would introduce a West Coast Rural Policy Area.
The Variation was initiated following as a result of submissions to the Council’s District Plan from the Environmental Defence Society and Ms Britta Hietz seeking that a new zone be introduced which would protect the distinctive coastal and rural character of the West Coast of Rodney.
“Once the Council’s decision had been appealed the Council faced two options,“ says Mrs Webster.
“The first option was that if the Council couldn’t reach an agreement with the appellants the Court would rule on the society’s submission and make a decision on whether the District Plan should be amended as requested to introduce a new zone with controls on development in the West Coast area without any opportunity for the public to have input into this process.”
"The other option was for the Council to enter into discussions with the appellants and see if some sort of agreement could be reached about the way forward.”
Mrs Webster says she is surprised that Federated Farmers have accused the Council of conducting secret negotiations with the Environmental Defence Society.
“As Federated Farmers were a party to the District Plan appeal they have been aware since March that the Council agreed to an MOU stating that a Plan Variation would be prepared. Richard Gardner was even sent a copy of the MOU for his information six months ago.”
“Federated Farmers have had enough experience with Plan change processes to understand that a decision by the Council to initiate a Plan Variation does not predetermine the outcome – if that was the case then it could be argued the outcome to every change to a District Plan was already decided, which is clearly incorrect,” she says.
“The Memorandum, prepared by the Council’s lawyers, clearly states that it is the solely the Council’s role to prepare the Plan Change. It states that the Environmental Defence Society’s role is limited to that of making submissions, the same as anyone else. The Memorandum also specifically states that nothing in the Memorandum detracts from the Council’s regulatory responsibilities under the RMA.”
Mrs Webster refutes claims that there has been insufficient consultation with affected landowners about the Variation. “We have written to 1,800 property owners who may be affected by the Variation and advised them of the consultation and have also placed public notices about the process letting people know how they can make a submission.”
The public consultation period on the Plan Variation has been extended from the minimum period required under legislation and will now close on 23 October.
“The proposal is just that – a proposal. It is certainly not a “done deal” and we welcome submissions on the Variation and will be listening to what the community has to say,” says Mrs Webster.
More information about the consultation is available online at www.rodney.govt.nz.