Plan Change 8: Huna Road

Thank you for your interest. A public hearing will be held on the 11-12 December 2024, 9am, at the Bay of Plenty Regional Council offices on Quay Street in Whakatāne.

What's happened?

Earlier this year Council went out for consultation on Plan Change 8 (Huna Road). 169 submissions and 3 further submissions were received. These can be viewed individually, all together in the Compilation of Submissions or as summaries in the Summary of Submissions.

The submissions have been reviewed by Council and some of the issues investigated further with submitters. Recommendations on the submissions are now ready in the Planners Recommendation (s42A) Report.

A public hearing will be held on the 11-12th December 2024 from 9am. A Hearings Panel of independent commissioners will hear from submitters, review the recommendations and make decisions. Decisions of the Hearings Panel will be available early 2025.

Making room to grow
Ka whai wāhi kia whakanui ai ngā takiwā whare

We want to make a change to the Whakatāne District Plan (our ‘rule book’) to increase housing capacity for the district. We want to know what you think before we make any changes.

What's proposed?
He aha te tono?

Council wants to rezone land at 12 Huna Road (more commonly known as Julians Berry Farm), 30A Huna Road and 234A State Highway 30 to allow residential development.

Why are we doing this?
He aha mãtau e mahi new I tēnei?

In 2021, the owners of 12 Huna Road approached Council because they wanted to develop their property. A concept plan for the development has been done as well as the supporting technical work. There was a strong case for Council to develop this as a public plan change, allowing it to be rezoned. In addition, neighbouring properties have been included at their owners’ request.

What does this all mean?
He aha tēnei?

This change is called Plan Change 8 and it will provide:

• for more housing that meets the requirements under the National Policy Statement Urban Development
• a diverse range of housing, including Papakāinga housing
• a coordinated approach to the development of infrastructure.

What this plan change isn't about

This plan change isn't about whether or not 12 Huna Road (more commonly known as Julians Berry Farm), 30A Huna Road and 234A State Highway 30 should be sold. It's simply about changing our rule book to make it easier for the owners of the land to develop.

When can you have your say?
Ahea ka taea e koe te tono mai?

The hearing will be held 11-12th December and is open to all, although only submitters who wanted to be heard at the hearing will be able to speak to the Hearings Panel.

You can find out more about proposed plan changes and private plan changes on our website.

Important hearing information for submitters

Hearing Administrator: Zoe Eleftheriadis DistrictPlanPolicy@whakatane.govt.nz

• Please read the Hearing Minute.
• The Hearing Administrator will contact submitters to confirm they still wish to be heard at the hearing and work with the submitters to schedule a suitable time.
• Any submitter who wishes to use Te Reo Māori, sign language or visual aids (eg powerpoint) are requested to contact the Hearing Administrator by Friday 22 November 2024 regarding these needs.
• Any submitter who wishes to attend remotely (eg by Zoom) must notify the Hearing Administrator and send a copy of the material they will use during their presentation to the Hearing Administrator by 4pm Friday 6 December 2024.
• Expert evidence and legal submissions must be provided in Microsoft Word format, unlocked, to allow Commissioners to annotate.
• Submitter expert evidence must be sent to the Hearings Administrator by 4pm Wednesday 3 December 2024.
• The Hearing Panel encourages parties to pre-circulate any opening legal submissions, preferably no later than 4pm Monday 9 December 2024.
• Submitters are encouraged to read the Planners Recommendation (s42A) Report and indicate in their evidence if they agree or disagree (and reasons why) with the reports recommendations.