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The Eastbourne Herald May 2018

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www.eastbourneherald.co.nz

HCC vows to work with residents over private land classification

26 May Haratua 2018

Ph 562 7500

Celebrating a milestone

by Carl McRae Hutt City Council says there is no good way of telling people there may be restrictions coming on what they can and can’t do with their land. “Receiving this news is at best naturally disconcerting and worrying,” Andrew Cumming, HCC divisional manager, says, in response to a letter received from a group of Eastbourne landowners affected by HCC's Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) policy. "Even when the primary aim is saving at least some of our threatened native species." “The work council is doing in Eastbourne and across Lower Hutt is aimed at protecting the city’s natural heritage for future generations. It is a legal obligation under the Resource Management Act (RMA) and its related regional and national policy statements. It affects, or will affect, landowners in all territorial authorities across New Zealand.” The RMA identifies the protection of New Zealand’s significant native flora and fauna habitats as a "matter of national importance". Around 83 percent of New Zealand’s native birds, bats, reptiles and frogs are classified as threatened or at risk of extinction, according to a recent report by the Ministry for the Environment. The context and primary reason for this work is the continuing decline of native plants and animal habitats. Council’s District Plan currently has limited provisions to protect these valuable sites on private land.

Long-time Eastbourne resident, Ken Longmore, enjoyed the celebration of his 100th birthday at the Eastbourne Sports and Services Club on Sunday afternoon. Now residing in the Woburn Retirement Apartments, Ken returned to spend the afternoon with friends and family, pictured here enjoying his centennial cake with Colin Rushton, President of Eastbourne RSA and fellow WWII veteran, Roy Beeby (93). Mr Longmore was a Captain in the Royal New Zealand Army 6th Field Artillery and served in the Western Desert in 1942. He was captured by Italian troops and was sent to a German Prisoner of War camp until the conflict concluded in 1945. Photo: Phil Benge.

The group of affected residents, now incorporated and operating as the Lower Hutt Land Owners, initially sent the letter to Mr Cumming requesting an indicative timeframe for the whole process, including when they could expect formal notification of the District Plan review and any proposed amendments or additions relating to the SNAs. Since the letter was sent, the group says it has been partially appeased by "positive and sensible" dialogue with Mayor, Ray Wallace and Deputy Mayor, David Bassett, the former assuring all

1,200 landowners who received the initial letter from HCC in January that they will receive a new letter referencing a rescope being undertaken. As a result of this work, fifty to sixty percent of the private land originally impacted will no longer be included in the proposal. For those whose land remains impacted, discussions about a more pragmatic approach - both the way in which landowners are being engaged, and the proposal itself - will take place in Mr Wallace’s office in June. Continues Page 6


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