The Whakatāne District Council’s Proposed District Plan has received 133 ‘further submissions’ either supporting or opposing the decisions requested by submitters during its initial phase of public consultation last year.

The District Plan guides the use, development and protection of land across the District, and the Council is required to review its provisions every 10 years. After extensive investigation and stakeholder ‘pre-consultation’, the Proposed Plan was publicly notified on 28 June 2013, with the submissions period closing on 13 September.

A summary of the decisions requested in the 391 original submissions received was notified on 22 November and the Council invited further submissions from interested parties by 19 December. A further submission can support or oppose a submission, but cannot introduce any new matters.

Many of the further submissions related to a Council submission seeking the introduction of a Deferred Marine Precinct Zone for Council-owned land at 60 Bunyan Road. All of the further submissions received will be available for inspection on the Council website by the end of this week.

Submissions to the Proposed District Plan will be considered at a series of hearings to be convened later this year. Submissions concerning the proposed deferred marine precinct zone will be heard by independent commissioners, who will also determine whether the further submissions relating to this matter are admissible.

Submitters who have indicated they would like to speak at the hearings will be notified of the time and date their submission will be heard.