Consultation

Climate Change Workshop

Are you keen to get involved in a discussion about climate change, focused on issues and solutions in Pukerua Bay? Want to find out what others are doing, and how you can be part of a community response that starts from our strengths and the positive things we are already doing?

Whether as an individual or as a member of a group, you are warmly welcomed to a community workshop to be held on Sunday 16 October in the Pukerua Bay School and Community Hall. This will be a ‘stock-take’ meeting where we develop an understanding of the local impacts of climate change, ascertain what issues are on top for people and map our connections with each other. We will also consider the UN Sustainable Development Goals and think about what they mean for our village.

We really look forward to seeing you there!

Venue: Pukerua Bay School & Community Hall (map)
Date: 2pm – 4pm, Sunday 16 October 2022 (ical)

The purpose of this workshop is to:

  • Raise awareness about environmental activities in Pukerua Bay (Kaitiakitanga)
  • Raise awareness about climate change impacts
  • Identify a set of residents who want to take the conversation further

Light refreshments will be provided.

Time table:

WhenWhat
2.00 pmKarakia timatanga 
2.10 pmWorkshop overview 
2.15 pmWhakawhanaungatanga: introduction, why are you here
2.30 pm Brief overview from Council
2.40 pmSustainable Development Goals exercise – Led by Barbara Nebel
Grab a cup of tea and reflect
3.10 pmLightning report back from each group
3.20 pmSynthesise, report back and discussion
3.45 pmNext steps
3.55 pm
4.00–4.30pm
Karakia and close
Pack up

District Plan submissions on housing developments

Last weekend we submitted our comments and the changes we want to the proposed variation to the Porirua District Plan for land around Pukerua Bay.

The variation would allow new housing developments on the eastern side of the village, off Muri Road and the Mt Welcome farm (the former deer farm off SH59). Read information on Porirua City Council website.

We suggested a number of changes and additions to strengthen environmental protection, explicitly acknowledge the impact of climate change, the need to identify funding for infrastructure before work starts, and changes to the urban design to improve accessibility and neighbourhood connections. The documents are:

Kāinga Ora considers using Urban Development Act housing provisions

Kāinga Ora and Porirua City Council (PCC) have announced a plan to look at the Northern Growth Area to the south of Pukerua Bay as a ‘Specified Development Project’ to manage housing developments in the area. The Kāinga Ora media release is below.

Links: Kāinga Ora media release on Scoop; background on Kāinga Ora’s Specified Development Projects.

The Residents Association has prepared a statement in response:

“This is a very surprising decision and there is a lot we need to learn to come to grips with it. We know that there is pressure on housing in the region and a strong demand for it. However, we are concerned about the potential impacts on local communities, and the loss of the local voice in decisions. We have worked with Porirua City Council over many years on the 30-year Northern Growth Plan, and we are currently preparing submissions on changes to the District Plan to allow new housing developments in Pukerua Bay. We would be very concerned to lose the ability to influence decisions affecting our communities if PCC is sidelined from the decision-making process. We would expect to be included as key stakeholders in any decisions Kāinga Ora is making that will affect local communities in this area.”

Structure Plan update

The community workshop on the draft Structure Plan for Pukerua Bay was well-attended, with animated discussions about the proposed housing developments and lots of feedback given. Read the feedback and comments here.

PCC is also planning to put all the feedback onto an interactive online map. We’ll also put a link to this here as soon as we have it. PCC has to notify this District Plan variation by August 2022. Any of us can submit on the proposal, in writing and in person to the public hearings. We will publicise updates on this process.

You can also go to the Council website poriruacity.govt.nz/your-council/city-planning-and-reporting/district-plan/

A tip from the planners – it’s a good idea to focus on the rules for planning because that’s where the Council has its influence. PCC doesn’t build the houses, but it does set the rules!

Village Plan survey drop-in session this Saturday!

Hi everyone, a reminder that there will be a drop-in session for completing the Village Plan survey this weekend:

10am-12 pm, Saturday 17 July 2021
at St Mark’s, Rawhiti Road (with Greedy and Co. bikkies to entice you!)

If you prefer to work on paper, we’ll bring printed copies to the drop-in sessions and leave some at the library. They can be returned to the library or dropped off at 2 Pukerua Beach Road. See our Village Plan page for more information.

Do you wish the Council would stop cutting down apple trees? Wondering about what happens to our community when Transmission Gully goes through? Or do you have a great idea for a new facility? Please share your thoughts – this is our chance to make plans for how we want our place to be! ?

Kāinga Ora’s proposal on multi-level buildings in Pukerua Bay

The Government’s social housing agency, Kāinga Ora, has asked Porirua City Council to change PCC’s proposed District Plan to allow for buildings at least six-stories high in several areas in Porirua, including part of Pukerua Bay.

This comes from the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD), which is a policy that councils have to incorporate into their plans and allow to operate — they have no choice about this. In the words of the policy statement, ‘Councils must give effect to these objectives and policies.’ There is a one-page summary here.

It’s an attempt to improve how cities respond to growth to enable improved housing affordability and community wellbeing.

Some of the provisions in it apply to the areas under the most pressure — the Tier 1 councils. Wellington region is one of these.

The relevant part to the NPS-UD is Policy 3, which says that for tier 1 local authorities, maximum capacity must be enabled in city centre zones. They must also enable development of at least six storeys in metropolitan centre zones and within walkable distances of rapid transit stops, and the edge of city centre and metropolitan zones. In these locations, six storeys are not a target, but is a minimum for what must be enabled in plans. If assessments show that both demand and access are high in these areas, councils should enable heights and densities that reflect this.

There is a fact sheet on intensification here.

The government has provided advice to councils with high- or medium-growth urban areas on how to meet the requirements in the NPS-UD.

Kāinga Ora’s proposal

Kāinga Ora has proposed that these 6-storey minimum buildings be allowed in six areas in Porirua. (Their full submission is here — number 81 in the list.)

Kāinga Ora maps of high-density zones — Pukerua Bay is the first map in the document, and the high-density zone is the orange and white striped area centred around the train station. There is also an online map you can enter your address into to find the nearest high-density zones.

This appears to be a standard submission Kāinga Ora is making around the country to include this form of intensification in councils’ District Plans and is not specifically targeted at Porirua. The areas seem to be simply drawn around train stations and certain urban facilities, such as shopping centres, without any analysis of whether they are suitable. Or, in the case of Pukerua Bay, whether our train station counts as a ‘rapid transit stop’ and whether ‘both demand and access are high’ for intensive development in this area.

The proposal would allow for very little input at the resource consent stage by affected neighbours.

Further submissions

We are allowed to make further submissions in response to ones like Kāinga Ora’s submissions – even if we didn’t make a submission initially.

The further submission can only respond to initial submissions and can’t bring up new matters. They must say what you agree with or disagree with and why.

Deadline for further submissions

These must be with PCC by 11 May.

There are links on this page to the ways you can make further submissions by filling out this Word document form.

Need a hand?

The summary reports are complex and PCC is able to help you understand them.

You can make an appointment to talk to a member of PCC’s planning team. Please email or call: dpreview@pcc.govt.nz ph 04 237 5089

If you would like help making a further submission, an independent ‘Friend of the Submitter’ service is available. Please email or call FriendofSubmittersPDP@poriruacity.govt.nz ph 021 532 284

Long Term Plan consultation 2021

The Porirua City Council Long Term Plan (LTP) Consultation is underway for 2021. The LTP sets the direction, priorities and budgets for the city for the next 30 years, and details the planned services, activities and projects for Porirua, and how Council will pay for them. Community input is essential to make sure the council have the right focus. Public consultation is open from 26 March 2021 to 27 April 2021.

Download: Long Term Plan consultation document (PDF)
Make a submission online: submissions.pcc.govt.nz

Community Workshop

Mana Cruising Club, 5 Pascoe Ave, Ngāti Toa Domain, Paremata, 7 April, 7-8pm (Facebook event)

Community Drop-Ins

Pātaka, Cnr Parumoana Street & Norrie Street, 10 & 11 April, 12 noon – 2pm (Facebook event)
North City Shopping Centre 2 Titahi Road, Porirua, 16 and 17 April, 10am – 1pm (Facebook event)
North City Shopping Centre 2 Titahi Road, Porirua, 18 April 10am – 12 noon (Facebook event)

For more information, upcoming event details and supporting documentation, see the Council LTP consultation page.

Have your say on Plimmerton Farm development

Submissions close 5pm, Thursday 2 July

Porirua City Council (PCC) is changing its District Plan to use a fast-track process for the Plimmerton Farm development, and is asking for the public to give their views on it.

This is our only chance to influence the outcome of this development by persuading the Minister for the Environment (who makes the final decision on the plan change) to protect the unique values of the Taupō Swamp and wetlands in the area. We will have to live with the decisions made now in perpetuity.

The Residents Association is working with the Friends of Taupō Swamp and Catchment (FOTSC) to help protect this environment.

You can help, too.

Everything you need to know is now up on the FOTSC website https://www.tauposwamp.org/plimmerton-farm-development.

Have a look at the “Have some more questions…?” document on the website. This is the culmination of input from many sources, and you can use it to help make a submission with the environment a priority, not a casualty, of planned development. There’s a lot there because there’s a lot to say.

You are free to use the words on it, but make them personal and write about the things you value the most.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UoA6uXzutlMBvunaFwkHdTSuz__TrG1s/view?usp=sharing

FOTSC has prepared an example of the submissions you can make. This will help simplify the process.

All the development information from PCC is on their website, along with links to the online submission page.

Remember: submissions are due 5pm Thursday, 2 July

Plimmerton Farm development submissions

As you will know plans have been in the wind for some time for the redevelopment of Plimmerton Farm to housing. This needs a change to the designation of the land from rural to residential. Porirua City Council has successfully had the approvals process moved to a fast tracked approach, and is now consulting on the proposed change and the development in whole. Information on the process being followed, and documents outlining the proposal, can be viewed on the council website: Proposed Plan Change 18 Plimmerton Farm.

This development will be ongoing for about 30 years, with the first parts of the development taking place close to Mo Street and the James Street roundabout. Taupō Swamp will be affected by developments as they progress.

Proposed precinct plan (Fig. 13), from Attachment 14: Urban Design Report.

The Pukerua Bay Residents’ Association (the RA) will be lodging a submission on the proposal. It would help us in writing the submission to have an understanding of any concerns or support that residents have on the proposal. While you may intend to lodge a submission to the Council on your own behalf, please feel free to share your thoughts with the RA.

Submissions close 5pm, Thursday 2 July 2020.