Statement on Thames Coromandel Plan Change

A recently approved Plan Change by Thames Coromandel District Council for land at Te Karo Bay , just north of Tairua, will limit new subdivision, provide greater protection of the outstanding landscape and preservation of the natural character of the Bay.

Te Karo Bay has long been recognised as a very special place, with stunning coastal beauty, outstanding natural landscapes , native bush right to the beach, kiwi, kaka, keruru and a sense of remoteness.

Alarm bells rang in 2002 when an application for subdivision was approved for eight houses on one lot supported by the district plan rules.

Tairua Environment Society spokesperson John Drummond said “we were shocked to find that hundreds of houses could be build in and around this special bay. Council staff were bound by the rules of the District Plan and the zoning allowed subdivision down to 800 m2 lots. While the 8 lot subdivision was history, we began a campaign to inform the people about these issues in the summer of 2002. Both Tairua Residents and Ratepayers Association and the Tairua -Pauanui Community Board were concerned about the effects on Te Karo Bay.

An investigation was begun by the Community Board, and in 2006 Council staff were asked to look at re zoning land at Te Karo Bay to reflect community desires to see the area preserved in its natural state. Consultation with directly affected landowners and other stakeholders followed. It was a further 2 years before the Council’s Policy and Planning Committee was able to request that a Plan Change be progressed and in January 2009 it was notified.

Over 100 submissions were received with 95% supporting the change of zoning.

“We were stoked to hear the decision last week” said Mr Drummond.

“Its a really positive outcome for Te Karo Bay.”

“It was a community initiative with everybody playing their part, spanning 3 terms of the Community Board and Council, and a fantastic end result.”

At the same time as the Plan Change hearing an application for a structure plan to allow four extra houses on a property in Te Karo Bay was also considered and granted by the same hearings committee.

“We are disappointed with this decision which is at odds with the zone change. This decision sets a poor precedent for the newly rezoned land.”said Mr Drummond.

Both decisions are open for appeal until 1 October 2010.

ENDS

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