A new way of working

We wanted to do things a little differently this time round, and make a number of improvements to the current planning regime.

Our intention is to:

• be clearer about what is acceptable and what is not in relation to resource use
• work closely with our community to identify and realise environmental outcomes
• focus our environmental enhancement efforts on priority BIG FOUR problems - water quality, water demand, hill country land use and threatened habitats.

Our method:

• be clearer about what is acceptable and what is not in relation to resource use
• a more integrated planning approach, with clear connections between air, land, water, and coastal resource management
• a host of new scientific research underpinning new policy and rules (particularly in the Land, Living Heritage and Water themes)
• an emphasis on protecting what is important to our Region and focusing on what we can achieve.

Although the One Plan will be a formal legal document, we're trying hard to make it more user-friendly, simpler to navigate around and easier to find what you need.

Timeframe

We first introduced the One Plan to our stakeholders in 2004 and to the public in 2005, touring the region with our 'Picture your Environment' Roadshow. Since then we have held numerous public and stakeholder meetings, sent out newsletters, and presented five draft One Plan versions in the lead up to the Proposed Plan. Through these discussions we have come to understand what our communities want for their environment and this has shaped the document into what it is today.

• 2007 31 August: Submissions on proposed One Plan close.
• 2007 November: Summary of submissions released. Further submissions may be made.
• 2007 December: Further submissions close.
• 2007 Dec - Mid 2008: Reports prepared and pre-hearing meetings held.
• 2008 Mid year: Hearings held and decisions released.
• 2008 Late in the year: Any appeals resolved. One Plan operative.

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