Waikato Regional Policy Statement Change 1 - National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 and Future Proof Strategy update

FAQs

• What is the National Policy Statement on Urban Development?

  The National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 (NPS-UD) replaced the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity 2016. The NPS-UD requires councils to plan for growth and ensure well-functioning urban environments for all people, communities and future generations. The NPS-UD contains objectives and policies that councils must give effect to in their resource management decisions. Policy statements and district plans need to be updated via a plan change process to implement the NPS-UD.  

  Visit here for further information on the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020.
• What is the Future Proof Strategy?

  The Future Proof Strategy is a 30-year plan to manage growth for the Hamilton, Waipā and Waikato sub-region. It identifies where people will live and work, and how existing and new urban areas will change and grow over time.  The strategy recognises that the area it covers sit in the broader Hamilton-Auckland Corridor and Hamilton-Waikato Metropolitan areas, which include important areas such as Pukekohe, Drury and Morrinsville. The strategy sets out how we work together to manage growth in a way that benefits the community and the environment. This sub-regional approach aims to make sure growth happens when and where needed together with the infrastructure and services needed to allow it to happen.  

  The Future Proof Strategy was updated and adopted by the Future Proof Implementation Committee in June 2022.

  For further information on the Future Proof Strategy, visit https://www.futureproof.org.nz/
• What areas are affected by the change?

  Some provisions will apply only to ‘urban environments’ as defined by the NPS-UD, and some will apply to the whole of a ‘tiered’ local authority.

  An urban environment means any area of land (regardless of size, and irrespective of local authority or statistical boundaries) that:

  • is, or is intended to be, predominantly urban in character; and
  • is, or is intended to be, part of a housing and labour market of at least 10,000 people.

  Hamilton City, Waipā District, Waikato District and Waikato Regional Council have been identified as Tier 1 local authorities. At this point in time, Taupō, South Waikato, and Matamata Piako districts qualify as Tier 3 local authorities. Other districts may qualify as Tier 3 local authorities in the future.

  There are no Tier 2 urban environments in the Waikato region. Rotorua Lakes District Council is a Tier 2 local authority but its urban environments are outside of the Waikato region boundary.

  The provisions in WRPS Change 1 clearly identify whether they apply to urban environments, Tier 1 local authorities or Tier 3 local authorities.
• Does the change affect the whole Waikato Regional Policy Statement?

  No, the change predominantly affects the UFD - Urban Form and Development chapter (previously Chapter 6: Built Environment). The change also includes some amendments to provisions and updates some cross-references under the following sections:

  • 6 Definitions
  • 9 Te Ture Whaimana o te Awa o Waikato – Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River
  • 10 National policy statements and New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement
  • SRMR – Significant resource management issues for the region
  • IM - Integrated management
  • CE – Coastal environment
  • CE-CMA – Coastal marine area
  • LF - Land and freshwater
  • ECO – Ecosystems and indigenous biodiversity
  • EIT – Energy transport and infrastructure
  • HAZ – Hazards and risks
  • HCV – Historical and cultural values
  • NATC – Natural character
  • Appendices and maps
• How does the change relate to Plan Change 1 (Healthy Rivers) and the Freshwater Policy Review?

  Change 1 to the Waikato Regional Policy Statement is separate from and unrelated to Plan Change 1: Healthy Rivers to the Waikato Regional Plan and the Freshwater Policy Review.
• What is a submission?

  The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) encourages people to get involved and provides a number of opportunities for you to tell the council what you think about a plan change or variation.

  A submission to the plan change is your opportunity to present your views. By making a submission, you are providing the council with your own insights, observations and opinions about the plan change, and the actions you believe should be taken.

  It is important to make your submission on the correct form and to provide the information requested. If you do not, the submission may be invalid and cannot be considered in the further development of the plan change.

  Waikato Regional Council will make all submissions and further submissions, including name and contact details, publicly available at public libraries in the region, council offices and on council’s website. Your details need to be made available as the RMA requires that any further submission, supporting or opposing your submission, has to be sent to you directly as well as to the council.

  Your contact information will also be used for administration purposes, including notifying you of when hearings are being held and when final decisions are made. All information will be held by the Waikato Regional Council with submitters having the right to access and correct their contact information.
• Where can I view the WRPS Change 1 documents?

  You can find a copy of the plan change, summary information, Section 32 Report, material by reference and a track changes version of the changes on this webpage.

  A copy of the submission form can be found on this page as well.

  Hard copies of WRPS Change 1 can be found at all Council libraries and local offices. You can also request a copy by calling the Waikato Regional Council on 0800 800 401 or emailing us at strategicandspatialplanning@waikatoregion.govt.nz      

  If you are considered to be an ‘affected party’ you will be sent a letter and a copy of the public notice informing you about the change and inviting you to make a submission.
• Who can submit on WRPS Change 1?

  Anyone, including members of the public, businesses, community groups and councils, can make a submission as long as it is provided on the correct form and by the closing date for submissions.
• How do I write a submission?

  You can find a submission form on this webpage, or you can pick up a hard copy at one of the council offices. The submission form will ask you for your name, address and contact details. You can indicate on the form if you wish to speak at a hearing or not, if you would like to present a joint case at the hearings if others make a similar submission, and if you could gain trade competition through your submission.

  On the submission form, you will need to say which part or parts of the change you are giving feedback on. State the provision number, give reasons about why you would like to see that provision retained, amended or removed and how you would like to see those changes made in the WRPS. Make your points simple, just bullet points will do. Let council know if you support or oppose the provision. You can do this by ticking the appropriate box.

  It’s fine to make a submission as a member of the public, but if you represent an organisation be really clear who you represent. If you are from an organisation, but are promoting your own view, then make that clear too.

  Here are a few tips on making an effective submission:

  • Relevant: Your submission must be relevant to the matter before the hearings panel. A hearings panel may decide not to receive a submission if it considers it not relevant.
  • Clear: Arrange your sentences and paragraphs in a logical order. Present a clear and logically developed argument. Writing one submission point per provision (e.g. Rule 3.11.5.2 (2), Schedule A (4)), with clear reasoning and stating your decision sought, can greatly help increase the clarity of your submission.
  • Concise: Be simple and direct. Do not write more than is necessary.
  • Accurate: Be accurate and complete. Include all relevant information. It will only confuse the hearings panel if, in your submission, you refer to evidence or information that is not included. Make sure your facts are correct. An error-ridden submission will greatly reduce its impact and credibility.
  • Conclusion: State your recommendations (i.e. what changes you would like made) in your submission form in the box ‘Decision Sought’.

  Please note that all submissions will be made public. The RMA states that your submission (or part of your submission) may be struck out (i.e. not accepted) if at least one of the following applies to the submission (or part of the submission):

  • It is frivolous or vexatious
  • It discloses no reasonable or relevant case
  • It would be an abuse of the hearing process to allow the submission (or the part) to be taken further
  • It contains offensive or threatening language
  • It is supported only by material that purports to be independent expert evidence, but has been prepared by a person who is not independent or who does not have sufficient specialised knowledge or skill to give expert advice on the matter.

  Your submission form can be returned by:

  Mail: Chief Executive, 160 Ward Street, Private Bag 3038, Waikato Mail Centre, Hamilton 3240

  Delivery: Waikato Regional Council, 160 Ward Street, Hamilton (between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday)

  Email: strategicandspatialplanning@waikatoregion.govt.nz Please note, submissions received by email must contain full contact details.

  Late submissions may not be accepted by the hearings panel, so please make sure your submission is sent to council before the closing date.

  If you have any problems meeting the closing date, contact council immediately so that alternative arrangements, if possible, can be made.