Washdyke plan change draws fire

A proposed change to the Timaru district plan to extend the Washdyke industrial area has attracted 139 submissions, the largest number ever on a council planning matter.

District planner Peter Kloosterman said 129 submissions were against the plan change, two neutral and eight in favour.

While staff were still summarising the submissions, Mr Kloosterman said those opposing the change were "relatively consistent" in their reasons. Some submissions were from those within the area the council wished to rezone.

As the council owns some of the land involved, it will appoint a commissioner to consider the change. That appointment is yet to be made.

The number of submissions exceeds the record held by those submitting to Rooney Holdings' application to establish a quarry at Seadown. That matter is still before commissioner Patricia Harte.

Mr Kloosterman said he was not surprised by the number of submissions as there had been a lot of interest in the scheme change at the first round of public consultation meetings.

He was hopeful staff would have completed summarising the submissions in about 10 days. Any person who has submitted then has the chance to further submit on the summary. A planner will then prepare a report on each submission and provide a recommendation to the hearing's commissioner.

Mr Kloosterman expected the hearings would not take place until June.

Randwick Place residents have previously spoken out against the plan change as they fear they will lose their rural outlook. They have also voiced concerns over possible dust, noise and smell from the larger industrial area.

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