TAITO PHILLIP FIELD
Independent Member of Parliament for Mangere

20 February 2008
Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Bill

Taito Phillip Field, the Independent MP for Mangere, today announced that he will support the passage through Parliament of the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Bill through its remaining stages in Parliament.

“I have studied this Bill closely and I am sure that it is necessary to ensure the Waitakere Ranges and their foothills are not overwhelmed by metropolitan urban development,” Mr Field says.

“This place is unique because of its range and quality of heritage features and because it is so close to urban Auckland. It is a rainforest on the doorstep of the largest metropolitan area in the country and must be protected from the development pressures that proximity brings.”

Mr Field has visited the area and met with local residents, some of whom were concerned that the Bill, if enacted, might interfere with legitimate land uses or development and add to delays and the costs of any building or resource consents.

Mr Field notes that the Bill is being promoted jointly by the Waitakere City Council, Auckland Regional Council and Rodney District Council. “So it has broad local authority support and has been developed after several years of intense community consultation,” he says. “I am particularly pleased with the community support for the Bill, including the support of Mäori and Pacific communities living in the area.” The Bill is sponsored by Waitakere MP Lynne Pillay.

During consultation on a draft version of the Bill, the Waitakere City Council received 3500 written responses 71% supporting its progress.

Mr Field adds that Parliament’s Local Government and Environment Select Committee have done “a good job” in clarifying the relationship between the Bill and the Resource Management Act and the manner in which they fit together.

I have insisted that there be a co-operative approach by Waitakere Council officials with the people in the community who had concerns and objections to the Bill. Changes have been made. My amendment to the Bill is as a result of that approach particularly with former Environment Court Judge Honourable Arnold Turner who now supports the Bill with my proposed amendment.

“There is still some uncertainty about the interaction between the provisions in the Bill and the present rules in Waitakere City’s District Plan. Therefore I am proposing an amendment (see Supplementary Order Paper, attached) to clarify that matter and ensure there is a minimum of bureaucracy involved with its implementation.”

“I hope other (political) parties will join me in supporting this proposal to safeguard a beautiful Heritage area for Waitakere, Auckland and New Zealand for the future.

ENDS

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