Consultation

District Plan panel cancels tower blocks

In a decision that’s likely to please Pukerua Bay residents, the latest version of the Porirua City Council Proposed District Plan has removed any possibility of high-density housing being built in Pukerua Bay.

Read the latest version of the Porirua City District Plan here.

Kāinga Ora had proposed that every part of Pukerua Bay within 800 metres of the train station should be rezoned as ‘high-density housing’, which would have allowed at least six-storey buildings taller than 22 metres. We were worried that the panel was going to agree to that proposal, or at least rezone all the land within 400 metres of the station, which was the original Kāinga Ora proposal.

PCC has accepted the latest version without change as the new proposed plan. In this, the whole of Pukerua Bay is now locked in as ‘medium density housing’, which is the default for the Wellington region. This allows for up to three houses of three storeys each (up to 12 metres high) to be built on all residential properties as a permitted activity (i.e. without needing a resource consent).

Many Pukerua Bay residents, including the Residents Association, sent in submissions opposing the high-density proposal, and the Association is very pleased to see there won’t be any here.

The current version can be appealed to the Environment Court, but unless the court makes any changes, the latest version will be the final operative plan everyone has to follow.

Climate change and resilience added to District Plan

We were also very pleased to see that the panel added a new section on climate change and resilience to the introduction to the District Plan variation that covers the new developments off Muri Road and the Mount Welcome deer farm (i.e. Variation 1 Northern Growth Area).

We had pointed out that there was no mention of the need to both build to anticipate and prevent the impact of climate change in the new developments, and not do anything that would make it any worse. The panel added proposed wording directly from our submission:

The development will incorporate design principles that anticipate the effects of climate change, to mitigate its impacts, to avoid contributing to it and to increase community resilience.

District Plan panel cancels tower blocks Read More »

Kāinga Ora invites public feedback on the Porirua Northern Growth Area proposed key features

Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities is inviting the public to provide feedback on proposed key features of a potential Specified Development Project (SDP) for the Porirua Northern Growth Area (NGA).

According to Kāinga Ora, the SDP process “supports collaboration between the public and private sectors and mana whenua, and is a tool that can be used to plan and deliver complex and transformational urban development projects, helping address Aotearoa New Zealand’s housing shortage.”

SDPs allow Kāinga Ora to take over some of the rule-making powers from local councils to ensure that multiple developments are integrated with each other and the surroundings. It’s intended to avoid issues where infrastructure is inadequate for growth and funding is not sorted out before work starts. It can also make sure issues like provisions for extra public transport, roading and schools are sorted early on in the process by working with the government agencies responsible for them.

Map of Porirua Northern Growth Area

The Northern Growth Area is around 1000 hectares of greenfield land in northern Porirua, primarily made up of seven major land blocks. It is the farmland between Camborne and Pukerua Bay, mostly on the eastern side of State Highway 59, and includes the Mt Welcome deer farm and the Muri block being developed by Barber Commercial (i.e., Jennian Homes).

This area has been identified by the Porirua City Council and the Wellington Regional Leadership Committee as suitable for future urban growth. In August 2022, it was selected for assessment as a potential SDP under the Urban Development Act 2020.

Since then, Kāinga Ora has been working in partnership with Porirua City Council and Ngāti Toa Rangatira to assess whether the NGA should be recommended for establishment as an SDP.

Here is a diagram of the SDP process (PDF). Kāinga Ora in Porirua is currently at step 1 (‘Kāinga Ora carries out initial assessment’).

Kāinga Ora is inviting people to find out more about the proposed key features and provide feedback on the proposed project area, objectives, and governance body, between 31 August and 29 September 2023.

They have organised two local drop-in sessions, which we are all welcome to attend:

  • St Andrews Church Hall, 11 Steyne Avenue, Plimmerton, 5pm–7.30pm Thursday 7 September 2023
  • Pukerua Bay RSA, 5 Wairaka Road, Pukerua Bay, 2pm–4pm, Saturday 16 September 2023.

You can also make a submission online: Online feedback form on the proposed SDP

If you can’t do either of these things but would like to know more, call 0800 801 601 and the Kāinga Ora team will organise for someone to speak with you. You can direct enquiries to sdp.enquiries@kaingaora.govt.nz.

Please note, this isn’t about the proposal in the District Plan for 6-storied buildings in Pukerua Bay. That is being considered by the panel that heard submissions on the District Plan earlier this year, and we are all waiting to hear the outcome of that. That’s out of our hands now.

Documents and useful links

Kāinga Ora invites public feedback on the Porirua Northern Growth Area proposed key features Read More »

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

Climate Change Workshop Read More »

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:

Addendum

On 21 March 2023, Moira Lawler and Iain MacLean presented an oral submission to the hearing panel considering the proposed draft District Plan. These are the notes we provided to the panel in support of the submission.

District Plan submissions on housing developments Read More »

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.”

Kāinga Ora considers using Urban Development Act housing provisions Read More »

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!

Structure Plan update Read More »

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! ?

Village Plan survey drop-in session this Saturday! Read More »

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

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

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.

Long Term Plan consultation 2021 Read More »

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

Have your say on Plimmerton Farm development Read More »