A plan change is a change to the District Plan. It can't 'just happen'. There is a public process which must be initiated. A change can be requested by Council or members of the public (this is called a private plan change).
If someone from the public requests a plan change, we choose whether to adopt it as our own or continue it as a private plan change. However, either way Council handles the submission, further submission and hearing process.
Proposed plan changes underway
| Name | Overview | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Re notification Proposed Plan Change 5 (Accessible Parking) | Re notification of Proposed Plan Change 5: Accessible Parking consists of 18 changes to the District Plan that will enable the provision of accessible parking to be considered during the consenting process. It identifies situations where accessible parking must be provided and sets a minimum number of accessible car parks in those situations. Provision of accessible carparks was required as a ratio of the total number of carparks that were required. With the removal of minimum carparking requirements under the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020, if a developer chooses not to provide any car parks the Council can no longer consider whether accessible car parking is appropriate when assessing a resource consent application or require the provision of accessible car parks. | Decision issued 27 January 2025. Appeals open till 12 March 2025. |
| Proposed Plan Change 4 (Building Platform Level) | Council has developed a plan change so the District Plan can better manage flood risk to buildings. | The summary of submissions will be available, and further submissions will be sought from 23 May 2025 until 11 June 2025. |
What's the process for a plan change?
