We are getting ready to notify the Proposed District Plan for Napier

What is the District Plan?

The District Plan is like a rule book for development in Napier. The District Plan is required under the Resource Management Act 1991 and sets out a framework for land use in Napier. It will help us balance the community’s development needs while protecting our important natural and built environments for future generations. This includes topics like Ahuriri’s Natural Features and Landscapes, Coastal Environments, Light, Earthworks, Ecosystems and Indigenous Biodiversity and Special Purpose Zones.

Why are we notifying a Proposed District Plan?

Our current rulebook, the Operative District Plan, is dated and needs to be reviewed to ensure the rules still suit our community and reflect the changes in our environment and priorities over time. Under the Resource Management Act 1991, a District Plan must be reviewed every ten years. We are approaching the next phase of our review process, which is providing a Proposed District Plan. This will give our Mana Whenua partners and our community an opportunity to review any proposed changes or existing ways of managing land use.

What does this mean?

We are getting ready to notify the Proposed District Plan in late September. Once we notify, anyone can view the Proposed Plan and make submissions to either request changes to rules or to support rules. If you would like to find out more about the review process and key dates, go to www.napier.govt.nz/district-plan-review or email districtplanreview@napier.govt.nz