Work on reformatting the District Plan under the National Planning Standards revealed several parts where changes are needed. The scope of Plan Change I is outlined below but for greater detail please refer to the document library to the right.

The scope of Proposed Plan Change I: Minor Amendments (2024) covers the following points:

1. Deletion of the following sections from throughout each chapter of the District Plan: Resource Management Issues, Explanations, Environmental Results Anticipated, Monitoring and Review Procedures, District Plan Methods, Other Methods, and Consent Procedures.
   
   These sections recommended for deletion are not required to be included in District Plans by the Resource Management Act. They are also not up to date, and do not reflect best planning practice. Retaining them may cause confusion for plan users. Removing these provisions does not change the direction or rules of the District Plan.
   
   
2. Deletion of Assessment Criteria in the GEN-General Approach chapter associated with Discretionary Activities throughout the District Plan.
   
   The District Plan’s GEN-General Approach chapter has some general assessment criteria that apply to rules throughout the Plan. On review, these were found to duplicate objectives and policies in the Plan. This means they create potential confusion for plan users. Removing the assessment criteria does not alter the direction of the Plan or how the rules will apply in the future.
   
   
3. Replacement of 'dwelling' with 'residential unit' throughout the District Plan, and subsequent deletion of ‘dwelling’ definition from the Definition chapter.
   
   The District Plan currently uses both dwelling and residential unit. Changing the definition to residential unit will ensure the District Plan only uses one term for housing activities.
   
   
4. Deletion of Tree 4 from the Notable Trees Schedule (TREE-SCHED1).
   
   This tree was damaged in a recent storm event and has been removed from the property. Retaining the listing in the District Plan is unnecessary.

Further submissions have now closed for Plan Change I. A hearing is expected in the first quarter of 2025.

If you have any questions about the Proposed Plan Change I, please email districtplanreview@mdc.govt.nz.