That's all for urban sprawl

Say ‘that's all’ to urban sprawl!

Last chance - please send your message of support for the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Bill by 21^st April 2006.

After more than thirty year’s, we finally have a local government bill before Parliament which will give our beautiful and vulnerable Waitakere Ranges better and more permanent protection from unsympathetic development.

The Bill is now before the select committee in Parliament and it is time to write to them and tell them why YOU want the Bill. Several groups, including the councils which support it, will make technical submissions, but the select committee will want to hear your personal reasons, too.

So please write a submission and send 20 copies to:

The secretariat

Local Government and Environment Committee

Parliament House

WELLINGTON

Before Friday 21^st April 2006.

Please also say, if possible, you would like to speak to your submission. It seems almost definite the hearings will be held in Waitakere City.

You can make copies of your submission at MP Lynne Pillay’s electorate office:

Unit 1, 141 West Coast Road, Glen Eden Phone: 09 818 6871. Or for more help with this please contact Greg Presland at the Waitakere Ranges Protection Society, on 817 3368 or email walaw@paradise.net.nz

Background

The Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Bill aims to recognise the national, regional and local importance of the Waitakere Ranges, foothills and coastal areas and to promote long-term protection and enhancement of this area and its important heritage features, now and in the future, while enabling the area to be lived and worked in.

The proposed legislation does NOT confiscate any private land or restrict any existing private property rights.

What the legislation will do, if passed, is ensure decisions about development in the Ranges take account the impact the cumulative effects of the development would have on the future of the things we value about the area. It is moderate and well-structured.

Why do we need a Bill?

It follows widespread community concern about the adverse cumulative effects urban growth is having on the natural, rural and coastal landscape and the ecological, historic, and cultural heritage of the area.

It responds to the difficulties in managing such effects under the current regulatory framework.

It acknowledges we can no longer expect the privately funded efforts of ratepayer groups and not-for profit groups, such as the Waitakere Ranges Protection Society, to fight inappropriate resource consents to the Environment Court. Almost all such cases have been won in Waitakere but at a huge cost in donated time and money. This can not continue indefinitely against the rising power of commercial property developers in Waitakere, soaring land prices and Auckland’s urban growth.

We need to better manage development on private land – other suggestions which have been made – such as a National Park - won’t address the issue of urban sprawl on privately owned land.

The Bill – Key Points

· Recognises the national and regional significance of the Ranges, foothills and coastal areas and promotes long-term protection and enhancement (27,720 hectares of public and private land).

· Builds on the RMA and provides guidance to the Councils in decision-making around policy statements and proposed plans to consider the long-term and cumulative effects.

· Provides for environmental protection and economic development within the area.

The Bill does not

· Replace the RMA

· Replace or undo district plans prepared under the RMA

· Confiscate land or change the status of any private land

· Turn private land into parkland or reserve

· Effect the ability to bring a claim under the Treaty of Waitangi

· Have any precedent setting effect for other areas of New Zealand

· Change anyone’s property rights.

Click here to read a copy of the Bill.

Click to here to access the Waitakere City Council information on the Bill and its background

How you can help