The District Plan provides a framework of objectives, policies and rules and other methods for managing the future use and development of land across the District and is prepared to deliver the Council’s functions under the Resource Management Act 1991.

The District Plan has rules and standards that any subdivision, development or land use is required to comply with. Every property is within a Zone, which reflects the land uses sought in that area e.g. Residential, Rural, Business zones, and within each zone there are rules that determine whether you need resource consent to undertake an activity or development.

The District Plan may affect you whether you want to develop or change the use of your property or your neighbour proposes works close to your boundary. Some examples of development that may be affected by the District Plan include:-

• Construction of an extension to your house
• Subdivision of your land into smaller parcels
• Setting up a business on your property
• Signage for your business
• Clearance of indigenous vegetation to allow for irrigation

From this page you can access the following

Current (Operative) District Plan

The current (Operative) District Plan was adopted in 2001 and which all applications for resource consent are currently assessed against. It will continue to be the Operative District Plan until such time that the proposed District Plan has more weight. For more information on the date that rules in the Proposed District Plan begin to have effect refer to the Introduction of the Proposed District Plan.

Plan Changes

Plan changes are amendments to the District Plan that may be proposed by the Council or requested by members of the Public. These include changes to the zoning of specific areas to allow for residential development. When a Plan change has been adopted, it forms part of the current (Operative) District Plan.

District Plan Review (Proposed District Plan)