Committee ratifies Council submission to Environment Select Committee

Hurunui District Council has sent a strong message to Parliament’s Environment Select Committee on the importance of protecting the voices of local communities and the character of special areas like Mt Lyford and Hanmer Springs when it considers new legislation proposed to replace the current Resource Management Act.

Council’s Strategy and Community Committee on Tuesday voted to ratify the submissions made by Hurunui Council on 16 February 2023 to the Natural and Built Environment Bill and the Spatial Planning Bill.

Hurunui’s submission supported the Canterbury Mayoral Forum submission and provided further comment reflecting the views of Hurunui Council.

Hurunui District Mayor Marie Black acknowledged the work of Council planners in preparing the submission.

“One of the recommendations we put forward is to extend the timeframe for the first combined NBE plan for the Canterbury region beyond the proposed four years to six years, so that meaningful engagement with our local communities and statutory partners including mana whenua is ensured. We believe community engagement is vital to the success of the plan,” said Mayor Marie.

“We are also concerned about protecting character areas like Mt Lyford and Hanmer Springs, which are subject to design standards that we would like to see maintained to ensure the character of these unique areas.”

The Environment Select Committee will prepare a report on the bills to go before Parliament, with the report due on 6 June 2023.