Air Quality Plan Change - Hearings

Hearings are scheduled to start on Monday 2nd November 2009 to consider all submissions made on Change 2 and Variation 2, which introduce new, and change existing regional planning provisions for air quality in Hawke’s Bay.

On this page

• Change 2 and Variation 2
• Hearing dates, times and venue
• Hearing Agenda
• What happens at the Hearings
• What happens after the Hearings
• Council Officer’s Hearing Report and relevant background information
• How do I find my submission
• What role does the District Health Board have in the Hearing

Change 2 and Variation 2

Change 2 and Variation 2 introduce new, and change existing regional planning provisions for air quality in Hawke’s Bay. The new provisions control domestic woodburners, and changes existing provisions which control discharges to air from industrial and trade premises.

Change 2 and Variation 2 were publicity notified on 10 December 2008 inviting people to make submissions. 

The submission period ran for 63 working days and closed on 30 March 2009. A total of 195 submissions were received from a range of groups and individuals.

Further information is available about Council’s new air quality rules.

Hearing dates, times and venue

VENUE: Council Chamber, HB Regional Council, 159 Dalton Street, Napier

NOTE: Submitters will be heard on the start date, and only if necessary, on the subsequent date(s) allocated. This is to allow time for the Committee to make their deliberations.

Hearing Agenda

A copy of the Agenda for the Hearing was sent out to those submitters who indicated they wish to be heard.  The Agenda incorporated the Hearing Report and other relevant background information to assist the Hearings Panel consider the written submissions already lodged together with presentations to be made at the hearing.

What Happens at the Hearings?

The hearings are being held to consider all submissions.  The hearings give those submitters who have indicated that they wish to be heard, an opportunity to talk about their concerns and provide evidence in support of their submissions.  Hearings will be conducted by a panel of three Councillors and a Maori representative. At the hearing, submitters will be given a chance to explain their submission and/or further submission and may also be asked questions about their views.

What Happens after the Hearings?

After the hearings, the Hearing Panel will consider all the information put forward in written and verbal submissions.  It may accept each submission point in full or in part, or the points may be rejected.  Change 2 and Variation 2 will be amended as a result of this consultation and decision making process.  If submitters are unhappy with any decisions made as a result of their submissions, they may appeal the Council’s decision to the Environment Court.

Council Officer’s Hearing Report and Relevant Background Information

The Hearing Report, Appendix 1, Appendix 2 and Appendix 3 & 4 has been prepared and reviewed by Council staff with input from external technical advisors where relevant. These files provide evaluations and recommendations based on information available prior to the hearing, including that contained in the submissions and further submissions.  The recommendations are officer recommendations. They are NOT final, nor are they decisions of the Council.

The following reports were used in the preparation of the Hearing Report:

How Do I Find My Submission?

Submissions in the Hearing Report, Appendix 1, Appendix 2 and Appendix 3 & 4 are addressed on a topic by topic basis, with a recommendation advising whether the submission point should be accepted in full, accepted in part, or rejected in full.

An index of submitters and further submitters details the relevant submission points for that submitter and indicates whether the point has been accepted in full, accepted in part, or rejected in full. Hardcopies of the relevant pages have been circulated to those submitters who have indicated they wish to be heard.

What Role Does the District Health Board have in the Hearing

The Hawke’s Bay District Health Board recently conducted a Health Impact Assessment on Plan Change 2 and Variation 2, and the resulting effects that the plan change and variation might have on the health and wellbeing of people in Hawke’s Bay.

The Health Impact Assessment provides an important assessment of the intended and unintended positive and negative effects that could occur as a result of Change 2 and Variation 2, and was used in the preparation the officer’s report.

The Hawke’s Bay District Health Board will be presenting the key parts of the Health Impact Assessment, at the request of the Hearing Panel.

The hearing is scheduled to start on Monday 2nd November 2009. Council staff will be presenting the key parts of the Hearing Overview report at around 9.30 am, followed by the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board at around 11.30 am.