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Mangawhai Matters: KDC and the Mangawhai Central Plan Change decision

 

 

matters logo-648The Kaipara District Council decision on Mangawhai Central Plan Change (PC78) decision followed some debate. The discussion round the council table showed that all councillors had given it some thought and were aware of shortcomings in the plan change. Mangawhai residents may not like the decision, but in the end council took the pragmatic decision and voted, with only two dissenters, to adopt the Plan Change. This followed a legal view from council solicitors, Simpson Grierson, that suggested they had little choice. To go against the recommendation of the council-appointed Commissioners would most likely lead a judicial review to the High Court which would be both costly and could damage the Council’s reputation.

Despite this, the councillors are obviously aware of the challenges that Mangawhai Central faces in terms of a reliable potable water and extension of the wastewater system. They have given serious consideration to the submissions of Mangawhai Matters and Clive Boonham calling for the alignment of subdivision with the funding and provision of infrastructure.

The Mayor and councillors also recognised that their adoption of PC78 in the form recommended by the Commissioners is just one step in the process, acknowledging the prospect of appeals to the Environment Court. They also expressed the expectation that ensuring adequate infrastructure supply can be dealt with when resource consents are being sought for major elements of infrastructure and at the subdivision consent stage.

It certainly appears that the points raised by many submitters to the hearings process, and the sorts of provision that Mangawhai Matters proposed in its submissions, have been taken on board. We can now assume that future developments at Mangawhai Central will attract the council scrutiny needed to avoid damaging shortcuts being taken or any commitment to excessive spending that would have to be borne by ratepayers at large. From the evidence brought to bear in the hearings, it is clear that resource consents will have far-reaching impacts and so we expect that, in light of the Council’s deliberations, any of significance will be notified for public submission.

Another pleasing outcome is that councillors now acknowledge the outstanding debt from the existing wastewater scheme and the fact that the few remaining connections remaining will in no way generate the $25m or thereabouts required to pay it off. Hopefully, that will underline the caution needed in providing expanded capacity to meet the requirements of PC78 as adopted.

Some of the major issues we see going forward are that, like the supply of potable water to small lots, KDC should not consent subdivision at Mangawhai Central until the infrastructure investment needed for the wastewater plant has been made, without ratepayers footing the bill for the capital required to enable it.

There is also the issue of access to Old Waipu Rd, to and from Mangawhai Central, as one means of limiting congestion of Molesworth Drive, Moir St, and surrounding roads. The KDC traffic advisors’ recommended that any dwellings in excess of 850 (excluding retirement units) should be a restricted discretionary activity, with the wider traffic impacts a key matter for consideration. The deletion of the Old Waipu Rd connection from the recommended plan change means that the proposed limit of 850 houses may now need to be reduced. The Commissioners appear to have dismissed, or overlooked, the impact of this change on local traffic movement , which we think is an outstanding matter, still to be resolved.

n Want to join the Mangawhai Matters Society Inc. as a member and have a say? It’s only $20 per family per year. Please make deposits to 01-0204-0160241-00. Following your payment please email us at mangawhaimatters@gmail.com giving us your name, phone, and address so we can keep in touch.

 

Councillors are obviously aware of the challenges that Mangawhai Central faces in terms of a reliable potable water and extension of the wastewater system.


 
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