One Plan

Q1: Whats not in the One Plan?

The Proposed One Plan is about managing the use of natural resources. Planning for other things, such as transport, emergency management and pest control are dealt with in other Council plans and strategies.

Q2: Does this mean the current Plans will be replaced?

Yes. Once the Plan is fully notified it will replace the existing Regional Policy Statement and six Regional Plans which cover Air, Water, Land, Beds of Rvers and Lakes and the Coast.

Q3: Why do we call it the proposed One Plan?

A proposed plan is a document that has been issued by the Council and 'proposed' as the official position of the Council before submissions are received. To be legally proposed, a document must be 'publicly notified' under the Resource Management Act 1991 so people can make submissions.

Q4: What is a policy?

In the planning sense, a policy is defined as a 'course of action' - a description of the things that need to be done to achieve a desired environmental outcome. Policies guide Councils in making their decisions, including decisions on resource consent applications. To enact a policy the Council can use a range of different methods - some are regulatory (rules) and others non-regulatory (e.g. offering incentives, information and advice, and working with community groups).

Q5: I don't understand this further submission process - what's it all about?

When we make a plan available we accept submissions about the plan (the process which has just finished); then we make all of those submissions available. All of the decisions requested by every submitter are summarised and collated into a document.

Two documents are available:

    * summary of decisions requested, ordered by submitters
    * summary of decisions requested, ordered by plan provision

You can use these documents to decide if they want to agree or disagree with a point that someone has made.

For example: if Mr Jones says in his submission that he is opposed to rule 99.8 then Mrs Smith can make a further submission stating her agreement with Mr Jones and the reasons why she agrees.

Q6: I didn't make a submission [or missed the deadline] - can I still participate in making a further submission?

Any person may participate in the further submission process providing it relates to a submission already received. (Note: Any issues for which no submissions were originally received cannot be addressed in the further submission process.)

Q7: Where can I view the summary of submissions?

The summary of decisions requested is available at the following places:

CD-ROM version - a CD-Rom containing all of the decisions requested is available from our offices at no cost. Please call us on 0508 800 800 or email oneplan@horizons.govt.nz

Hard Copies - copies of the summary of decisions requested are available at the following places:

All public libraries in the Region -

Horowhenua District: Foxton, Levin and Shannon

Manawatu District: Feilding

Palmerston North City: Palmerston North City Library

Tararua District: Woodville, Pahiatua, Eketahuna and Dannevirke

Rangitikei District: Marton, Bulls and Taihape

Wanganui District: Wanganui Library

Ruapehu District: Taumarunui, Ohakune and Raetihi.

Horizons Regional Council offices:

    * Regional House, 11-15 Victoria Avenue, Palmerston North
    * Regional House, 181 Guyton Street, Wanganui

or copies are available for purchase at a cost of $35 (inc GST) each.

Q8: How will I go about making a further submission?

Just like the submissions to the Proposed One Plan, we will have a form which people fill out to make a further submission on any submission that has been received. This will be available when the summary is notified. (This is expected to be mid-November.)

Q9: How long do I have to make a further submission?

Further submissions:

    * open on 17 November 2007 and
    * close on 19 December 2007.

By law (under the Resource Management Act 1991) we must provide 20 working days for submitters to view the summary and make their further submission.

Q10: What happens if I bring up new points in my further submission?

The further submission process is only for commenting on someone else's submission and stating whyu you do or don't agree with it. If you bring up a new point that isn't covered in the original submission it cannot be accepted as part of your submission.

Q11: Viewing all of the original submissions?

Copies of the full submissions may also be viewed at Horizons Regional Council office in Palmerston North -

    * Regional House, 11-15 Victoria Avenue, Palmerston North

All of the original submissions are available on CD-Rom and copies of this are available at no cost - please call us on 0508 800 800 or email oneplan@horizons.govt.nz

Q12: Why do I need to send a copy of my further submission to the person whose submission I commented on?

Under the Resource Management Act 1991 you are required to do this. If you don't, your further submission may not be valid.