Here We Go

A Three Year Journey

 

And so the Unitary Plan is now set for formal notification at the end of the month after the Governing Body via an ABSOLUTE Majority (passed at 81%) vote. Of course I can here Councillor Brewer or rather see him pumping out press releases left right and centre playing Chicken Little with the City. However I have noted that Central Government is rather happy today that the Unitary Plan is now set for notification. This was a prerequisite of the Housing Accord and subsequent Special Housing Areas coming into effect – something the Government is happy with.

 

From Auckland Council today

Unitary Plan approved for notification

Auckland Council’s Governing Body has approved the proposed Auckland Unitary Plan for notification and a formal submissions phase. 

Following today’s meeting Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse said “We have developed this plan with our communities using a brave new process and today’s decision is a true milestone for Auckland. 

“The proposed plan has come a long way since we put out a draft version in March. It now reflects a careful balance between ensuring quality development in the right places and a modified approach where our communities have voiced their concerns. 

“We want to create a city our grandchildren will be proud of and the Unitary Plan is one of the key tools we need to make this a reality.” 

The next stage in the process is the formal submissions phase, which starts on the date of notification, 30 September. This process is set out by the Resource Management Act and allows 90 days for Aucklanders to make a submission.

 

Following this, further submissions and the hearings process will take place over approximately three years. 

The plan includes amendments to the maps, policies and rules based on the feedback of 22,000 Aucklanders and the decisions made by Auckland Councillors on what changes would be included.

 

From 30 September, the proposed plan will be available online at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz as well as in hard copy format in libraries for those that don’t have access to internet. 

Ends

 

And so the next phase – well rather three phases begins with time to roll up the sleeves get mucking in:

1. Formal Submissions with the Unitary Plan
2. Area Plans (compressed from a six-year to a two-year time frame – more when the next term of Council)
3. Special Housing Areas with the private sector and Central Government also

 

Democracy

While I am here I would like to post a reminder on how Representative Democracy works. With people like Cameron Brewer and his fan club all crying Chicken Little I thought we might want to get this little detail straight.

I call it Democracy – The Art of Listening

It is comments like these why I have no love for shills – this was in regards to the Unitary Plan from most likely a conservative
“We can see who just want to slip it through without the Public (Ratepayers ) having a say. Nothing controversial in their areas? A case of Councillors not caring a hoot about the rest of us living in hovels?”

My reply “What rock you have been honestly under.I do recall a feedback period from March 16- May 31st on the Draft Drat Unitary Plan, before the Councillors and Local Boards thrashed out the Unitary Plan from June 1 until just now – all unprecedented in planing terms compared to the old District Plans of yester-century and was a statutory requirement

Now we come to the legal part and the Plan has hit formal notification where we make our submissions formally, then front up in front of the Commissioners at the Hearings, then the Commissioners decide changes to the Unitary Plan and with some luck it becomes operative in three years time – just like the old District Plans of yester-century and also required by the Resource Management Act 1991

So the public have had their say once, and now they get to do so again from end of September – or is it a case of woe be me they did not listen to me. Sadly – a fact of a democracy – we all win some and lose some”

Do not let minority shills ruin it for the majority of the city here, now and into the future

And

Some more Unitary Plan musings

Seems some people need educating on what a Representative Democracy is…
You will not ALWAYS be “listened” to – it is impossible. Yes the elected representatives “listen” to your concerns as they should and do – but it does not mean they will “listen” and action on that concerns of yours. There are millions of others all with concerns and our representatives go through the art of compromise which while not a fine art is part of the game. This means a decision that goes in the face of whatever you might hold as a concern or belief. This is also part of the game and is also known as LIFE!

The old saying goes – you win some – you lose some – THAT is the nature of the game and THAT is the nature of democracy. To think otherwise is nothing but utter delusion

Look I submitted, ran blog posts, was the number 1 Tweeter and met with Councillors and planners countless times over the Unitary Plan and concerns I had.

At the end of it I got some concessions and lost a heck load more. Am I jumping up and down – no as this was expected.

The Councillors listened and to be honest listened rather well for all the unrequited stick they got for a Plan that is a first and will be rolled out across the country to other cities over time (INCOMING).

At the end of the day I would give what is the now Notified Unitary Plan a B (heck load better than the F I gave the LTP) – its rough but liveable.

Now on to the next two stages – the formal submission and preparing for an Area Plan (or few for that matter) down here in the South as we prepare to advance into the 21st Century

All knowing the while – I win some – I lose some – that is life and that is sure as anything come to be known as Representative democracy!!!

—–

This is going to be a long three years…

 

TALKING AUCKLAND

Related articles

• Auckland’s Unitary plan approved (stuff.co.nz)
• Council’s adoption of Housing Accord another step forward (national.org.nz)