Wainui petition helps to define the urban edge

Friday, 13 March 2009 By John Jones

THE description of the boundary of residential areas in Gisborne District Council's draft urban strategy has been changed after a deputation from Wainui residents.

Residents were concerned that the map in the draft urban development strategy showed the eastern extent of the Gisborne urban area with a line marked urban boundary near Makorori Headland.

A petition from more than 100 people objected to that location and sought to have the boundary "remain at the 100kmh sign on State Highway 35 at Sponge Bay."

There was concern that if the boundary was changed to Makorori, developers could legally require the council to provide infrastructure services, particularly reticulation.

Developers could also legally require the council to reduce section sizes to 400 sq metres, the minimum area set for sections within the urban boundary.

The staff recommendation was that no changes were necessary because the map did not have the effect of changing council policies about where development must be reticulated - rather this could only occur through changes to council policies.

Speaking for the residents, Gary Stevenson said there was confusion between maps and plans prepared by the council. Some clarity was needed and the residents wanted the boundary left at the 100kmh sign at Sponge Bay.

Gary Hope asked that the subject lie on the table but was told by environment and planning manager Hans van Kregten that the statement of proposal that included the draft urban development strategy needed to be released for consultation.

Mr Hope asked why Makaraka, where urban development was planned, was not included in the proposed urban area. The same could apply to other areas such as Matokitoki Valley where he lived.

Craig Bauld said the urban development strategy was there for a purpose but would have no effect on rates or reticulation.

This area was where residential development extended and to put a line on a map anywhere else did not seem to make sense.

Planning policy team leader Kim Smith said the word boundary seemed to be creating a problem. She suggested the wording could be changed to "extent of residential development."

The committee adopted her proposed wording change.

It was incorporated into the statement of proposal the committee will recommend to the council.

Andy Cranston said he had tried to look up the definition of urban but nobody seemed to know exactly what this meant.

Gary Hope voted against that recommendation because he said nobody could define the term urban.