MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 14 May 2012

Submitters to speak on draft Plan

Over 220 residents and ratepayers heeded the call to ‘have their say’ during the submission period on Horizons Regional Council’s draft Long-term Plan.

Feedback covered a broad range of topics, with public transport emerging as a key issue in Palmerston North as many submitters expressed their concern over rising fuel prices.

Horizons chairman Bruce Gordon described the submissions as “scattered across all Council activities”.

“Submissions have been of a high quality with people clearly stating why they are for or against proposals put forward in the draft Plan. People have taken a real interest in the future of our region and it’s great to see some really thoughtful submissions coming through in the 222 we received,” he said.

“As well as feedback on passenger services in Palmerston North, there’s been strong support for a Rangitikei bus service.

“We’ve had a number of submissions come through around the importance of water quality and the majority of submitters have taken the opportunity to comment on more than one issue,” he said.

People who made a submission to the draft Long-term Plan were also given the option to speak in support during one of three submission hearings to be held this month.

Submission hearings are open to the public and 64 submitters have taken up the opportunity to be heard by Council.

Hearings will begin next week with two to be held at Horizons Regional Council in Palmerston North at 9am Tuesday May 22 and Thursday May 24 and a third to be held at the Wanganui District Council Chambers in Wanganui from 9am Wednesday May 23.

A regional transport submission hearing will also be held at Horizons Regional Council in Palmerston North at 10am Monday May 21 providing an opportunity for those who submitted to the draft Regional Land Transport Programme to speak to their submissions.

Ends

© Scoop Media