Time running out to have say on NRC 10-year plan

People keen to have their say on plans to do more to clean up waters, protect native species and provide better flood protection still have about a fortnight left to do so.

The Northland Regional Council has been seeking public feedback on its ‘ambitious’ new Long Term Plan (LTP) 2018-2028 since earlier in March with people still able to make comment until 4pm Tuesday 17 April.

Chairman Bill Shepherd says the council has just finished a series of ‘Have Your Say’ events around the region from March 20-27 enabling people to give feedback direct to councillors.

“These events were held instead of a more formal hearing process and we received some really useful feedback on our plans covering the entire spectrum of opinions from very supportive to totally opposed.”

Chairman Shepherd says events were held at Whangarei, Kerikeri, Kaikohe, Kaitaia, Dargaville and Mangawhai, with attendance varying from just a single person at Mangawhai through to more than 60 at Kaitaia.

While the Have Your Say events had now ended, the council is still encouraging written feedback via www.nrc.govt.nz/ltp2018

“Feedback can also be submitted via post, email, fax or dropped off to any regional council office, again before 4pm Tuesday 17 April.”

The council has also produced a ‘Consultation Document’ clearly highlighting the main changes and new initiatives being considered in its LTP – and how they might be funded – as the basis for public feedback.  (The Consultation Document is available from www.nrc.govt.nz/ltp2018 or regional council offices.)