The Plan identifies that if current levels of growth continue, there could be about 29,000 people in the district by 2011 and 32,000 people by 2021.  The Development Plan involved significant consultation with the local community, and a large number of comments were received and considered on the Plan’s proposals.

The Plan includes proposed changes to existing zoning in a number of areas to provide for additional land for future residential, commercial and industrial land needs.  

What the Plan proposes

In Ashburton township, the concept plan provides for the development of an Industrial zone in the North East of Ashburton in response to pressure for new commercial land in Ashburton.  Additional land has also been identified as being suitable for the development of compact residential and large format retail areas around the town centre, and a number of areas on the outskirts of the town have been identified as being suitable for ‘greenbelt residential’ development. 

The Plan also identifies the need for additional land to be set aside for residential and green belt residential expansion in Methven, Mt Somers and Rakaia.  Additional industrial land is also included in development plan proposals for Rakaia and in Mt Somers. 

Where to from here....

Implementing work necessary for the future development of the district will be a long term project for the Council and the resources required to action a number of projects arising from the Development Plan will mean that work will need to be prioritised and staged over a number of years.  The Council’s Environmental Services Committee will make policy decisions on work priorities related to the Development Plan project. 

Any proposals requiring a change to the Council’s District Plan would go through a statutory consultation process involving public notification and consultation with affected parties before Development Plan proposals could be included in the District Plan. 

Some funding has been allocated in the coming year to undertake further investigations and planning arising from the Development Plan, such as further planning work relating to smaller townships. 

For further information on the development plan project please contact: 

John McKenzie

Environmental Services Manager

Ashburton District Council

PO Box 94

Ashburton 7740

Telephone: 03 307 7700

Facsimile: 03 308 1836

johnmc@adc.govt.nz