The Resource Management Act 1991 makes it compulsory for councils to prepare a District Plan.
The Plan uses rules that have the force of law, as well as other methods such as education programmes and incentives. Everybody, including Council, must comply with the plan.
Ratepayers indicate their priorities and have their say on the Plan via public submission processes (the last submission process was held during September and October 2002, prior to the District Plan becoming operative).
The Plan’s resulting maps and text outline what the community has decided you do/do not have to get a consent for, and sets boundaries for certain types of activity.
Generally speaking, the plan affects new development (i.e. new buildings) or new or changes in use of land or buildings. Many things can be done “as of right”, while others require permission from Council.
The biggest users of the Plan are those who need to know a lot about certain types of activity that modify land, vegetation and buildings, for example surveyors, architects, developers and real estate agents.
From a ‘general public’ point of view, people would only become generally aware of the Plan if they wanted to do some kind of development to their property.
For specific information contained in the Western Bay of Plenty District Plan click on the following link:
Click the links below for information associated with: