Chance To Comment On How Region's Resources Are Managed

Interested in how the Bay of Plenty’s natural and physical resources should be managed over the next 10 years? Now’s your chance to have a say.

Environment Bay of Plenty is releasing a high level document on Tuesday for two months public comment. The deadline for comments on the draft Bay of Plenty Regional Policy Statement (RPS) is 1 April 2010.

Environment Bay of Plenty’s Policy and Planning Committee Chair Raewyn Bennett said it was the region’s most significant resource management document and she encouraged people to get involved.

“We want feedback on how to improve the document before we enter the formal process later this year. This document is a critical tool in managing the region’s natural resources. It takes a direct approach to managing the region’s resources including land, geothermal, air and water.

“Not only will this document affect how we work, but it will also affect the region’s district and city plans and therefore resource consent applicants and holders. As a result there are very few people that won’t be affected in some way.

“I encourage communities to provide feedback. Na to rourou, na taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.“ (With contributions from each of our baskets, the people will thrive).“

“This draft is a work in progress, and feedback can help us improve it,” she said.

The first Bay of Plenty Regional Policy Statement (1999) will remain operative until the second is approved.

Comments must be with Environment Bay of Plenty by Thursday 1 April and will then be used to help develop the next version of the document. Later this year the Council hopes to publicly notify the Proposed RPS, and will call for formal submissions and hold public hearings before final decisions are made.

An information sheet, electronic and printed copies and more information is available on Environment Bay of Plenty’s website www.envbop.govt.nz or by phoning 0800 ENV BOP (368 267). People are encouraged to read the information sheet and relevant sections of the document and then send in their comments.

ENDS

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