Further independent expert advice to be provided

APRIL, 19, 2013.

Council has resolved to include three additional experts to be part of the pre-hearing process on coastal erosion hazard lines during consultation on the Proposed District Plan.

As part of this process, these additional experts will have full access to all information and will have the opportunity to make their own assessment before working with other experts to arrive at a consensus and resolve any contested technical matters through the pre hearings process.

Council’s Chief Executive Pat Dougherty is to provide a report with a list of appropriately qualified experts together with their CVs for consideration by six councillors. The six councillors will then make a recommendation to the full Council.

Submitters on coastal erosion hazard lines and management areas will also be invited to put forward names of experts with suitable qualifications for consideration.

Councillor Tony Lester said after the meeting that the panel of additional experts would be an excellent way of providing further assurance around the information and analysis; is common practice under the Resource Management process, and would come at no cost to external submitters.

“The issue of the hazard lines and the information they are based on has generated a considerable level of concern. This has been difficult for all concerned, including councillors.

“The Council has concluded that the process of pre-hearing meetings, and formal hearings with independent commissioners as laid down and protected by the Resource Management Act provides the fairest process for all concerned. The process is set up to enable technical experts to reach agreement on key matters arising during the hearings process.”

Councillor Lester said it was clear from legal advice that Council had to include in Land Information Memorandums (LIMs) reports any information on coastal hazards “known” to Council. There was nothing to say however that information could not be updated as further information came to hand.

Councillors welcomed the initiative by Councillor Mike Cardiff to discuss and futher examine the process and input from Councillor Lester that helped find a satisfactory way forward.

A staff report presented to Council listed the considerable amount of work undertaken on coastal hazards dating back to 2005. The full report (SP-13-866) can be found on the council website.

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