ePlan - help guide

The ePlan is an interactive electronic version of the District Plan. It aims to make it easier to find information relevant to your property and to have your say on changes to the District Plan. The ePlan can be found here.

You can use the ePlan in two ways:

Like a book using the ePlan viewer. Click on 'ePlan - view the entire plan and rules'.
Using the interactive map viewer. Click on 'pick a property'. This allows you to search your property and see all the planning map layers on your property. It also helps direct you to the most relevant parts of the District Plan for your property.

See below tips to help you get the most out of the ePlan.

Using the map viewer

From the ePlan homepage choose the 'pick a property' option. Type in your address and click enter. The map viewer will zoom to your property and an information panel will appear on the lefthand side of your screen. This panel shows a list of the mapped planning features associated with your property that you need to be aware of when considering purchase or development. Note this does not replace a LIM.

Sometimes there will be hidden map layers. If you click the icon next to the mapped feature (where relevant) this will change the map layer to show the hidden layer. These can be toggled on and off by clicking the icon.

You can click on some of the information to be directed straight to the relevant section of the district plan. In this example clicking on 'Open Space' takes you directly to the permitted activities and permitted activity standards for properties zoned as Open Space. You can navigate back to the map by clicking the map image at the top of the panel.

You are able to print/save a copy of a property report. Click view property report (PDF). This is a brief snapshot that shows the relevant zonings and planning map layers over your property.

Creating & printing PDFs

Prefer to read the plan on paper? Or want a pdf to highlight? You can print off your chapter(s) of interest or the whole plan (not recommended!). When you are in the ePlan viewer click the 'print' symbol at the top of the page.

Note: if you want a pdf of a plan change you will need to follow the steps to 'view a plan change' below before printing a pdf.

Viewing plan changes

The District Plan is not a static document and from time to time changes are proposed either by Council or through privately initiated plan changes. These can be viewed by selecting plan changes on the lefthand panel when you are in the ePlan viewer.

Clicking on 'select' will display a list of current plan changes.

Once you have selected a plan change, the ePlan viewer will highlight what provisions are affected by the plan change and display tracked changes of the proposed amendments.

Using the ePlan to make your submission (not available yet)

Want to have your say on a proposed plan change to the District Plan? You can do this through the ePlan. This makes it easy: you can click on provisions directly in the plan and explain why you support or oppose the change, and what you think should be there instead.

Step 1: select the plan change you are interested in (see above on how to view plan changes). Then click the 'make a submission' button at the top of the page.

You have the choice to login or continue as a guest. Make your choice and then you're ready to start on your submission.

Step 2: Have your say!

Click on a proposed amendment (remember these will highlighted in a lovely beige hue) you have an opinion about. This will bring up a box that you will type your submission into. You will be asked whether and why you support or oppose the proposed amendment. Then under 'relief sought' you can provide any changes you would make instead. Please be specific! Once you've got it all down, click close. A little red speakerphone will appear to the right of the provision you've written your submission on. You can click on this to review your submission.

Step 3: Keep going until you've made all your points!

This is where logging in is an advantage. It means you can stop, take a break and restart again at a later time. Don't forget to let us know what provisions you support, as well as what ones you aren't stoked with.

Once you've got it all off your chest, you're all out of opinions, happy with what you've said, it's time to actually submit your thoughts. Click the edit/submit submission points at the top of the page. You can review or edit your points and then once you're happy click 'start submission process'. This will take you to a different website, ask you a few standard statutory questions before letting you make your submission. You will receive email confirmation that your submission has been made.

Help?!

If you need some extra help, or something just isn't working right, give our duty planner a call on 03 314 8816, an email to planning@hurunui.govt.nz or pay a visit to our Amberley Office.

We'd also be interested to hear your experience using the ePlan - the good, the bad and the ugly!