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History
Current
Hill Country Corporation Ltd and associated landowners have contested the HDC Plan Change 38 decision, and they are now seeking a special exemption from Plan Change 38 for their land at Ocean Beach.
Future Ocean Beach Trust submitted in support of the original HDC Plan Change, and we continue to support Plan Change 38. We will be calling expert landscape and heritage witness evidence as part of the FOB submission to the Environment Court.
We are awaiting notification of the date for the Environment Court Hearing.
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October 2008
The Hill Country Corp Ltd. has formally withdrawn its application for a village of 1,000 houses, Village Center Commercial Service area, rural, rural Equestrian Park (with cluster housing), and the Predator Proof Fence area which still allows for sub division at Ocean Beach.
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December 2007
The Hill Country Corp Ltd. Proposed Plan Change 45 Ocean Beach has been notified. The Plan Change includes 1,000 houses, Village Center Commercial Service area, rural, rural Equestrian Park (with cluster housing), and the Predator Proof Fence area which still allows for sub division, for more information on the Plan Change go to http://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/planchanges/45/index.htm or go to our home page for help in how to submit.
Private Submissions to the Independent Commissioners are due by 4:30pm on Friday the 29th of February.
As a result of the private plan change being lodged by Hill Country Corp. Ltd. the HDC decided to finalise its Structure Plan for Ocean Beach, but not process its own Plan Change at this time. HDC has chosen to wait and see what happens with the private plan change first.
More Detail On the Background of Previous Meetings which led to this decision
On 14 December 2006, a Draft Structure Plan was put before the Councillors to release for public and stakeholders comments. This Draft Structure Plan was different to the 4 options previously discussed in the Issues and Options Paper. It had 469 house sites and included a subdivision on the Haupouri Flats.The Draft Structure Plan submitted in December 2006 did not take into account the public sentiment for less development.
The majority of Councillors, led by Mick Lester, required that the Draft Structure Plan of December 2006 be amended to remove the Haupouri Flats area from potential subdivision development. “It was noted by individual Councillors that the Haupouri Flats provided an important foreground view to the northern part of Ocean Beach, the main beach area, and also added to the wilderness experience of Ocean Beach in general.” It was noted by Councillor Dinah Williams that written public comments had been overwhelmingly against any major development. Councillor Keriana Poulain reminded the Mayor and Councillors that they had been voted into their positions to represent the people of Hawkes Bay, and the people had overwhelmingly submitted against any major development.
On 8 Feb 2007 another Council meeting was held, and the Proposed Plan Change with this amendment to keep the Haupouri Flats in the current rural zone was adopted. This Current Draft Plan Change has 286 house sites and it is almost double the size of the previous Intermediate Option which was 150.
How did thid all start again?
The Hastings District Council’s decision to initiate a Variation to the Proposed District Plan is based in part on a decision from an earlier proposal by Donloben Properties Ltd to establish a new residential development at Ocean Beach.
This proposal was not approved by the Hearings Commissioners decision on 8 March 2000 because:
"(a) the essential element of legal access from the south is not yet available;
(b) the proposed rules designed to protect the undertakings and amenities referred to in evidence do not have the certainty of outcome that we desire."
Furthermore, the commissioners also found it is desirable that the rezoning should only take place if it recognizes and incorporates the existing settlement at Ocean Beach.
For any further substantial residential development to proceed at Ocean Beach the land must be rezoned. The HDC Plan Change is intended as a way to prevent ad hoc development along the full length of Ocean Beach.
The Ocean Beach Open Spaces Technical Report forms part of the preparation for the Plan Change process. This report summarizes important background information, commissioned reports and statutory documents that contribute to the Plan Change. This document includes:
Coastal Environment Study Report 1995
"If not properly appropriately contained, residential development could threaten the wild and open space character of currently unmodified sections of coastline adjoining settlements such as Ocean Beach."
Isthmus ‘Outstanding Landscapes’ Report 1995
The purpose of this report was to provide background information on the District’s landscapes; and to select ‘outstanding natural features and landscapes’, identify what makes them significant; and identify activities that may compromise their qualities.
Assessment of Available Methods and District Plan Provisions This report recommends that the District Plan contain rules to protect the landscape significance of SLCA’s.
New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 1994
This Policy Statement requires policies to achieve the sustainable management of natural and physical resources in relation to the coastal environment of New Zealand.
Regional Coastal Plan
This plan relates to land below the high tide mark and coastal waters.
Ocean Beach Strategy and Structure Plan, 1999
This report advocated preservation of the dramatic entry point to the beach, and limited development sympathetic to the dominant natural features of beach dunes, steep coastal slopes, valleys and ridges which give Ocean Beach its special character.
Hastings Coastal Environment Strategy
"To promote Ocean Beach as a special place and use the areas natural assets as the foundation for guiding conservation land use and development”.
Area specific objectives include:
- Maintain and enhance the sense of wilderness and remote open space of the Ocean Beach coastal environment in recognition of the natural character,landscape and social/cultural values.
- Maintain and enhance public access to an along the coastal marine area except where this adversely impacts on natural character and tangata whenua values.
- Maintain and enhance the special character and recreation value of Ocean Beach as analternative recreation experience. While recommendations were made for limited residential development near the Waipuka Streamarea, Ocean Beach was not included as one of the 9coastal are as suitable for and significanturban growth.
Ocean Beach Submission Evidence
Some submitters involved were:
Hastings District Council Maori Advisory Standing Committee requested that there be no residential development at Ocean Beach.
Rachel De Lambert argued that some form of sensitive development was appropriate in this location and that it could provide the opportunity for both protecting and enhancing the natural character and landscape values of the locality.
Warren Gumbley provided a summary of historical archaeological evidence relating to the wider Ocean Beach. Given the wealth of artefacts remaining in this area, Gumbley recommends that all efforts be made to avoid modification to the certain areas.
Council was also aware of tangata whenua as a key stakeholder and their rights of kaitiakitanga at Ocean Beach. Sufficient consultation about the proposed subdivision had not occurred.
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