The Council has adopted the recommendations of an Independent Hearing Commissioner to change the District Plan at its public meeting of 22 November 2007. This will enable the 126 hectare Business Park to proceed and become an important driver of the Ashburton economy.
Also included in the decision was a designation for roading purposes to provide for a significant upgrade of the State Highway 1 Northpark road intersection.
Transport links to the State Highway and Main Trunk Rail Line offer transport efficiencies as well as removing traffic pressures from the centre of Ashburton, including the potential for rail freight to be loaded in the North East area, rather than the Town Centre.
The proposed site has the potential to become a Transport Hub and could enable more freight to be moved by Rail from Ashburton.
The Business Park in North East Ashburton was a key outcome from the Ashburton Development Plan that was consulted on in 2004 / 2005 and adopted by the Council in June 2005. The Council has been working on this project since that time.
The next important step is for a Resource Consent to be applied for to subdivide the land in stages. An Independent Hearing Commissioner will be required to make a decision on such an application.
Once subdivision consent is granted, development of services such as roads and underground services can proceed.
Persons who made a submission can appeal within the appeal periods, eg 30 working days from the date of receipt of the council Plan Change decision – which will expire on 04 February 2008, 15 working days from the date of receipt of the Designation decision – which will expire on 04 February 2008.
The Commissioners recommendation and final outline plans can be viewed via the links listed on this page.