Feedback helps shape the draft Natural Resource Plan

Thousands of points of interest have been raised by the public in response to the release of a draft Natural Resources Plan for the Wellington region.

Views both supporting and opposing a wide range of provisions in the draft plan were put forward in 145 individual submissions. Greater Wellington Regional Council staff are working through these issues focusing on those that have the greatest impacts for the largest number of people.

Council is also working with submitters and land owners to explore some of the key points around the exclusion of livestock from natural water bodies and wetlands and other concerns from infrastructure providers, developers, community groups and the city and district councils of the region.

Changes resulting from many of these discussions will be brought as recommendations, to Te Upoko Taiao - Natural Resources Committee leading to a proposed plan around mid-year.

General feedback included the need for greater consideration of economic wellbeing and urban development requirements and a call for greater clarity around the role of whaitua committees. Clarity was also sought around some terms and definitions used in the policies.

Of the most popular issues was water allocation was raised by 398 submitters, indigenous biodiversity 257, coastal rules 210, discharges to land 210, air quality 184, ecosystem health 180, livestock exclusions zones 173 and discharges to water 167.

Further information on the feedback and a summary of the comments can be viewed at: http://www.gw.govt.nz/regional-plan-review/

The proposed plan will be notified in the middle of the year at which time the formal submission process begins.