Public consultation on a draft area plan for Waiheke will now take place mid-year and not March as previously advised.
Research and investigations are well advanced for most topics. However, there are still some gaps that need to be addressed before public consultation opens.
“This will ensure a sound basis for discussions with the public on the future of the Waiheke local board area,” says Cath Handley, Chair of Waiheke Local Board.
“Delays to the release of the 2018 census information have also impacted on some parts of the project,” she added.
“The draft plan will also benefit from reviewing public feedback on issues the council will be consulting on in March and April 2019, including the annual budget, pest management, managing water in the region, and Waiheke’s parks management.
“We will be using public feedback on these other projects to help inform the area plan project so people aren’t consulted on the same topic twice,” Ms Handley said.
The aim is to complete the area plan for the local board to consider and approve in early 2020.
The area plan will focus on such key local matters as tourism and the character of Waiheke Island and its villages, freshwater and coastal water quality, roading, wastewater, localised flooding, and the natural environment.
Also addressed in the plan will be historic heritage and archaeology, transport, cultural values, village growth and housing, local business and job opportunities, parks and community facilities.
