Media Release 26 March 2009
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has decided that the Hearings Committee will hear and consider submissions to the air quality plan change proposals.
The policy proposals, aimed at increasing healthy homes in Hawke’s Bay and meeting the government’s air quality standards, are currently out for consultation with the public.
The Regional Council considered that the Hearings Committee was the most practical option, being both affordable and efficient in using available and trained Councillors.
Using the Hearings Committee is also a normal procedure for a plan change.
The Council’s Hearings Committee consists of up to four Regional Councillors plus a member of the Māori Committee. They are trained to take the role of hearing all submissions impartially, and have had previous experience in conducting hearings.
The Committee will read and hear submissions over a period of weeks, and will make recommendations to the full Regional Council which will make the final policy decision.
Other options were for the full council to be involved, but it was decided that it would be too difficult getting all nine Councillors together over a period of several weeks, or to use independent Commissioners, but this less usual option was considered to be too expensive.
Submissions on the proposed air plan rules close on Monday 30 March. After that a summary of submissions will be prepared and publicly notified, which will be open to further submissions in May. The hearing is planned to be held in the second half of the year.
For further information please contact:
Alan Dick, Chairman, ph 06 835 9207, 027 224 0012
Susan Wylie, Communications Coordinator, ph: 06 835 9208
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