14/04/2005

Kawhia locals object to Oto District Plan

By KYLEE BRUCE
The ability of the Otorohanga District Plan to protect "the jewel in Otorohanga's crown" is under scrutiny after concerned parties commissioned an independent report.
The Kawhia Harbour Protection Society and Te Runanganui o Ngati Hikairo commissioned Greg Hill - a resource management consultant from Auckland - to report on the adequacy of the District Plan following concerns that it does not promote the sustainable management of Kawhia Harbour.
Representatives of the Kawhia Harbour Protection Society and Ngati Hikairo formally presented Mr Hill's report to Otorohanga District Council's meeting last Wednesday.
However, council staff and elected members are not convinced by the findings and are adamant that the public should not be either.
Mr Hill's report stated there were particular concerns about the `subdivision provisions' that did not adequately protect the natural, ecological or historical value of the area from development.
While the main concern was with Kawhia Harbour, the findings also applied to Aotea Harbour.
The report stated Kawhia and Aotea Harbours and the surrounding land catchment "are of significant cultural and spiritual value to tangata whenua. There is little in the District Plan that expresses or
sets out the management regime to address these values."
The report also stated the subdivision and other District Plan provisions did not meet several statutory
requirements as set out in the Resource Management Act, or mandatory documents that underlie the Act.
These documents include the New Zealand coastal policy statement, Environment Waikato regional policy statement and Environment Waikato proposed regional coastal plan.
The report also included an overview of land use rules and stated "land use provisions very much follow the same pattern as subdivision provisions. Activities are generally permitted provided they can meet specified conditions. Given the nature of these rules it is clear the majority of land use proposals, like subdivision proposals, would be permitted.
"No assessment is required to be made on the impact these buildings will have on the natural character and landscape values of the coastal environment. The values the plan seeks to preserve and protect through its objectives and policies, will potentially be lost or destroyed, as the rules do not require those objectives and policies to be considered or taken into account."
Kawhia Harbour Protection Society member and legal advisor Virginia Shaw said the report highlighted many deficiencies in the District Plan and confirmed the society's concerns were legitimate.
She said the findings reinforced that commissioning the report was well worth the huge financial investment.
"The issue now requires a serious response from the council.
"These are serious issues and they need to be addressed. The council cannot walk away from that."
However since the report has been released, council's chief executive David Hall said he is concerned members of the public would automatically adopt the report`s findings as fact.
"It's put out to the ratepayers that (Greg Hill's) report is factually correct when in fact, details in the report are incorrect."
Mr Hall said of particular concern is the accusation the majority of land use proposals are permitted without consideration of their effect on the environment.
He said land use proposals must meet strict criteria before being permitted and it is common for proposals to be refused.
Mayor Dale Williams also warned the public not to misinterpret the report. "While we accept the report, it is a report that represents a particular viewpoint. We could find an expert too who says our report is great, but we don't."
Mr Williams said the harbour protection society in particular, represents a group who have a strong environmental leaning that does not accurately represent views held by the rest of the community.
`'For every conversation I've had with harbour protection society members, I've had. five with other members of the community who do not agree with their viewpoint.
"There's lots of stockholders who have an interest in the harbour," said Mr Williams.
"It's a balance. We've just got to pull it all into the middle. In my view communication and consultation usually means compromise."
Mr Williams said when the District Plan was in its drafting stage in the 1990s the public was invited to take part in in-depth consultation.
"It's been through the whole process."
According to Mr Williams, at that time people were concerned about the state of the economy and wanted to draw people into the area in order to help Otorohanga district move forward.
"We created a solution in the District Plan. It is a people's plan," he said.
Otorohanga District Council won several awards for its District Plan including one based on its consultation process.
Mr Hall said the District Plan is now seven years old and has had three changes made to it during that time.
While the District Plan is not due to be reviewed for several more years, Mr Williams said this will now be moved forward.
"We've budgeted to move it forward from 2007 -08 to 2006 -07. We cannot move it forward any more than that."
He also expressed dissatisfaction with how the issue of the commissioned report was handled by some parties.
He said while representatives from Ngati Hikairo put forward their concerns and allowed council time to discuss the issue, he feels the harbour protection society tried to force through immediate changes to the District Plan.
"They use a machine gun approach with the hope that one or two bullets hit the mark.
"That only sours our relationship. They could learn a thing or two from Ngati Hikairo," said Mr Williams.
"They've put the ball in our court and now they need to give us time to react. There is a policy and a system in place to work to."
Mr Williams said council members and staff will read over the full report before the issue is discussed at the next council meeting on April 26.
The council will then make a formal response to the report.

Training centre gets its funds

The first intake of students will cross the threshold at Otorohanga's new Trade Training Centre in less
than two weeks.
The centre, which is a "partnership between Otorohanga and Wintec," will allow students to study in the
town.
At the same time students will gain contacts and hands-on experience with local businesses.
At first, the centre will run year-long courses, giving students the opportunity to earn a National Certificate in Engineering. It will contain the appropriate electives to steer them in an engineering or
mechanical direction.
The course will offer first aid, customer service, measuring, time management, electrical circuits, welding and general engineering.
Theory and basic workshop skills will be taught in the old TOPS building in Turongo St with practical work experience carried out in local workshops.
In addition to the pre trade course, an apprentice support scheme will be held on a weekly basis.
To make the course viable, the Trade Training Centre needs about 16 students each year.
At the centre's launch in December, Wintec Advisory Group chairman Andrew Giltrap said they would need the support and backing of local businesses to raise the $25,000 needed for initial equipment.
Earlier this week Otorohanga mayor Dale Williams - who is also a member of the Wintec Advisory Group - said all required funds had now been raised.
"We've really worked, hard to get that funding these past few weeks," said Mr Williams.
Equipment and support has also been pledged by local tradespeople.
Meanwhile alterations to the building are nearly complete and new sign writing has been installed.
However, Mr Williams said while classes will begin shortly, it might be some time before the Trade Training Centre has its official opening. "We'll let it get up and running first," he said.
But Mr Williams said due to the strong support and enthusiasm shown by the community, there certainly will be formal celebrations.