Community Board Chair pleads with Council staff not to inflame situation

Community Board Chair, Peter Storey has been in consultation with Waikato District Council planning staff over the proposed Raglan Structure Plan.   His intention has been to get Council to say they were wrong and to get onto putting it right.   Peter Storey has instead ended up having to plead with Council staff not to inflame the already troubled situation

Whatever else you might say about WDC Planners you do have to admit that they are brave!   Imagine even thinking of coming to a Raglan meeting and trying to justify that they are right.

In the interest of open Government and discussion, The Raglan Website is publishing the full email interchange below: 

From: P Storey

Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2010 1:22 PM Subject: Re: Structure plan
Thanks Tony

I think staff attending our meeting to discuss how they arrived at the current variation will inflame the community even more… The simple fact that WDC are arrogant enough to arrive at any place, notify and defend that position without consultation with OUR community on the specifics is enough!

I think the proposed open day will be a good enough forum for you to answer the specific ratepayer queries and this will save time at our meeting.   Who ever is to attend our CB meeting should be prepared to answer questions like:

• Why does WDC have a policy of never admitting they have made a mistake?
• Why do WDC insist on taking the longest most expensive route to any outcome?
• Is this because they are spending Ratepayer’s money and have the ability to increase rates if there is a shortfall?
• Why will WDC continue with the process when our Community clearly does not want it?
• What makes WDC think they know better than we do about Raglan?
• WDC can stop the process … why won’t they?

It will be far cheaper and less protracted to stop and get it right now than proceed with this flawed dictate to our Community.   The advisc I have, which I confirmed after our meeting with your Solicitor, is that the WDC can not extend zones through the submission process and that it flies in the face of the RMA to try! There is a better, quicker, cheaper alternative….   Regards     Peter

—– Original Message —– From: Tony Whitaker at Waikato District Council

Hi Peter

Sorry about the delay in responding to you email last Friday. Just to confirm:

• It is Councils intention to continue with the process. Council has extended the submission timetable to assist submitters.
• We are satisfied that Council will consider submissions as within scope. There is always a risk however that someone who is affected may challenge this as part of the process.
• Council have not yet decided to make submissions on the points you raise. I cannot provide any assurance of this.
• We are conducting an open day on the 18^th August from 2.30 to 7pm
• Staff will attend the Community Board meeting on the 10^th of August to discuss how the current Variation was arrived at and where to from here

Peter, please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further info or clarification of the above

Thanks

Tony Whittaker

GENERAL MANAGER STRATEGY AND SUPPORT

Waikato District Council

Ngaruawahia

From: P Storey

Sent: Friday, 30 July 2010 5:04 p.m.
To: Tony Whittaker

Subject: Structure plan

Hi Tony

To confirm our discussion this Morning.

It is Councils intention to continue with the plan as notified, and not take the shorter, cheaper option of withdrawing amending and re notifying.

You are satisfied that any changes/additions required by the community are within scope and can be satisfactorily dealt with by the submission process. (providing any extension to zones etc are adjacent to the existing zones and not stand alone new sites)

Council intend to submit to remove the new road and affected land owners will be notified.

In line with Clint’s position Council should (will) submit to extend the Business/mixed use zone to include the other side of Bankart Street and South side of Wallis St to the Club Rear entrance.

Council will conduct an open day as soon as possible to explain to interested parties the process and address any specific queries.

At our Community board meeting I will try for a resolution requesting council to either withdraw or at least submit to extend the business zone, remove the road, reinstate the Park Drive industrial site.

A Council submission will add weight to the desired outcome and give comfort to the Community that all stops are being pulled out.

I trust I got this right

Regards

Peter