Latest news with #DistrictPlan
Otago Daily Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Advocacy group makes strong bid for council seats
Another key member of a community advocacy group is making a bid for the Selwyn District Council. Lincoln Voice secretary Denise Carrick will be running for a seat in the Kā Puna Springs Ward. She is the third committee member of Lincoln Voice to announce they will stand for the district council in the October local body elections. Chair Tracey Macleod is running for one of the at-large seats and committee member Aaron McGlinchy for a Springs Ward seat. New councillors-at-large added Unlike Macleod and McGlinchy who are running as independents, Carrick will be using the Lincoln Voice banner in her campaign. 'I have the blessing of the committee and the founding members to do that,' Carrick said. Current Springs Ward councillors Malcolm Lyall and Debra Hasson are yet to decide whether they will stand again, while Grant Miller announced on Anzac Day he would not be seeking re-election. Like Macleod and McGlinchy, a key motivation for standing was Lincoln Voice's fight to stop the huge 2100-home Carter subdivision, Earlsbrook. Lincoln Voice had appealed the private plan change, which the council approved in the Environment Court. But before the case was heard, the appeal was made null and void after the subdivision was included in the District Plan, which the council controversially signed off on with only six councillors present. The remaining five and Mayor Sam Broughton were either away or not voting due to a conflict of interest. Because Lincoln Voice was never involved in the District Plan process, which started a number of years before the group was formed, it had no grounds to appeal the plan. That prompted questions and criticism from Lincoln Voice as to why the vote was not delayed until more councillors could be present for the vote. Carrick said if she was elected and a similar big decision was to happen she would want a full council to be present. 'Those sorts of big decisions need to be handled better.' Carrick said now the subdivision is under construction, she wants to focus on ensuring Lincoln has the infrastructure to cope with the extra homes. 'It is in the background, because what's done is done. 'But the repercussions of it are still becoming very evident with growth in population and the need for infrastructure.' Carrick is also on the Selwyn Community Patrol committee and works part-time as a teacher aide at Rolleston College. Macleod owns and operates NTM Consulting, while McGlinchy is a part-time consult operations manager for Eco Index. In recent years Carrick's focus has been on Lincoln, but she said she can still represent the other Springs Ward townships. This now includes West Melton. 'Each of our townships has got different issues, but we all have quite a lot in common with how quickly we've grown and the issues that brings,' she said.
Otago Daily Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Advocacy group makes strong bid for Selwyn District Council seats
Another key member of a community advocacy group is making a bid for the Selwyn District Council. Lincoln Voice secretary Denise Carrick will be running for a seat in the Kā Puna Springs Ward. She is the third committee member of Lincoln Voice to announce they will stand for the district council in the October local body elections. Chair Tracey Macleod is running for one of the at-large seats and committee member Aaron McGlinchy for a Springs Ward seat. New councillors-at-large added Unlike Macleod and McGlinchy who are running as independents, Carrick will be using the Lincoln Voice banner in her campaign. 'I have the blessing of the committee and the founding members to do that,' Carrick said. Current Springs Ward councillors Malcolm Lyall and Debra Hasson are yet to decide whether they will stand again, while Grant Miller announced on Anzac Day he would not be seeking re-election. Like Macleod and McGlinchy, a key motivation for standing was Lincoln Voice's fight to stop the huge 2100-home Carter subdivision, Earlsbrook. Lincoln Voice had appealed the private plan change, which the council approved in the Environment Court. But before the case was heard, the appeal was made null and void after the subdivision was included in the District Plan, which the council controversially signed off on with only six councillors present. The remaining five and Mayor Sam Broughton were either away or not voting due to a conflict of interest. Because Lincoln Voice was never involved in the District Plan process, which started a number of years before the group was formed, it had no grounds to appeal the plan. That prompted questions and criticism from Lincoln Voice as to why the vote was not delayed until more councillors could be present for the vote. Carrick said if she was elected and a similar big decision was to happen she would want a full council to be present. 'Those sorts of big decisions need to be handled better.' Carrick said now the subdivision is under construction, she wants to focus on ensuring Lincoln has the infrastructure to cope with the extra homes. 'It is in the background, because what's done is done. 'But the repercussions of it are still becoming very evident with growth in population and the need for infrastructure.' Carrick is also on the Selwyn Community Patrol committee and works part-time as a teacher aide at Rolleston College. Macleod owns and operates NTM Consulting, while McGlinchy is a part-time consult operations manager for Eco Index. In recent years Carrick's focus has been on Lincoln, but she said she can still represent the other Springs Ward townships. This now includes West Melton. 'Each of our townships has got different issues, but we all have quite a lot in common with how quickly we've grown and the issues that brings,' she said.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Scoop
Controversial Plan To Move Prisoner Reintegration Facility Takes Next Step
Article – Laura Smith – Local Democracy Reporter It comes as the council investigates the facility's activities at its current site. The public will have a say on a controversial plan to move a prisoner reintegration facility to a rural Rotorua valley. Rotorua Lakes Council has publicly notified a resource consent application for Pūwhakamua to operate in Waikite. A notice in today's Rotorua Daily Post said submissions would close at 5pm on June 25. It comes as the council investigates the existing Pūwhakamua facility, based near Rotorua Airport, after issuing, then cancelling, a notice ordering it to cease operations because of consent matters. Pūwhakamua is a tikanga Māori live-in reintegration service supporting men on parole to return and readapt into the community. It was the brainchild of reformed drug lord Billy Macfarlane, who works as general manager, and is run by Tikanga Aroro Charitable Trust, with a contract from the Department of Corrections. Pūwhakamua has been operating on the leased site since 2018 and Corrections has funded it at least $4.6 million since November 2022. The trust aimed to develop a new site on nearby Māori land behind Rotokawa Baths, but landowners successfully sought an injunction through the Māori Land Court, meaning it had to find another new home. The trust applied for resource consent in October to relocate to Waikite, about 40km south of Rotorua. It had requested limited notification be carried out for immediate neighbours and that submissions be invited through a formal process. Community members told councillors last year they opposed the facility relocation, fearing the rural setting increased safety and security risks. They called for full public notification, allowing wider submissions. The Rotorua Rural Community Board was advised in a meeting on Tuesday the application would be publicly notified. The trust's application said the rural environment meant a 'focus on cultural values can be fostered away from the distractions of an urban environment'. 'Full support and care are provided through the programme via on-site resident staff and external agencies. Residents commit to pursuing lasting change through support with daily life tasks, upskilling programmes, vocational education, personal development and employment.' The trust hit consent issues at its current site this year. On March 5, the council sent an abatement notice ordering the 'unconsented' facility to cease operations and take steps to gain consent. Rehabilitation centres could be considered community housing under the District Plan, but must only have up to eight residents, whose movements could not be legally restricted – including by parole conditions. Pūwhakamua was hosting 14 parolees in February when the council inspected after neighbours raised concerns. The abatement notice was cancelled on March 24. Council destination development group manager Jean-Paul Gaston told Local Democracy Reporting an investigation into activities on the site was ongoing. He declined to comment further, saying the council did not intend to conduct the investigation through the media. Trust chairman Doug Macredie said the abatement notice was a 'non-event based on incorrect information' and was quickly cancelled. 'That said, we've taken the opportunity to review our land use in accordance with tikanga, and will continue in humility and thankfulness.' Macredie said the Waikite Valley consent notification was for the council to decide. 'We are progressing with the full support of our network and observing improved accuracy of information resulting in greater public support.' He previously said no one who could not be safely managed in the community could live at Pūwhakamua and everyone referred was assessed while still in custody. Active gang members were not considered, community safety was the 'No 1 priority' and Pūwhakamua staff were on-site at all times. A Corrections spokesperson said finding safe accommodation for people lawfully required to be released from prison was one of its 'most significant challenges'. 'Without supported accommodation, they could be homeless and living on the streets or in cars. This would present an unacceptable safety risk to communities.' According to Corrections statements, the number of men living on site at Pūwhakamua had fluctuated from eight when the notice was cancelled to nine about two weeks ago and six as of Wednesday. Eight other participants in the programme lived off-site. Corrections' communities, partnerships and pathways deputy chief executive Sean Mason told Local Democracy Reporting last month that it met with trust and council after the abatement notice. He understood the trust sought independent advice to ensure Pūwhakamua was compliant and was keeping Corrections informed. The department had developed a contingency plan in place to safely house the residents if they had needed to leave Pūwhakamua. Mason said reintegration services were important in reducing the risk of reoffending. A communication from the council to the trust, sent to Local Democracy Reporting by Corrections, said the abatement notice was cancelled to allow time for an independent planning consultant to consider an assessment undertaken on behalf of the trust.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Scoop
Controversial Plan To Move Prisoner Reintegration Facility Takes Next Step
The public will have a say on a controversial plan to move a prisoner reintegration facility to a rural Rotorua valley. Rotorua Lakes Council has publicly notified a resource consent application for Pūwhakamua to operate in Waikite. A notice in today's Rotorua Daily Post said submissions would close at 5pm on June 25. It comes as the council investigates the existing Pūwhakamua facility, based near Rotorua Airport, after issuing, then cancelling, a notice ordering it to cease operations because of consent matters. Pūwhakamua is a tikanga Māori live-in reintegration service supporting men on parole to return and readapt into the community. It was the brainchild of reformed drug lord Billy Macfarlane, who works as general manager, and is run by Tikanga Aroro Charitable Trust, with a contract from the Department of Corrections. Pūwhakamua has been operating on the leased site since 2018 and Corrections has funded it at least $4.6 million since November 2022. The trust aimed to develop a new site on nearby Māori land behind Rotokawa Baths, but landowners successfully sought an injunction through the Māori Land Court, meaning it had to find another new home. The trust applied for resource consent in October to relocate to Waikite, about 40km south of Rotorua. It had requested limited notification be carried out for immediate neighbours and that submissions be invited through a formal process. Community members told councillors last year they opposed the facility relocation, fearing the rural setting increased safety and security risks. They called for full public notification, allowing wider submissions. The Rotorua Rural Community Board was advised in a meeting on Tuesday the application would be publicly notified. The trust's application said the rural environment meant a 'focus on cultural values can be fostered away from the distractions of an urban environment'. 'Full support and care are provided through the programme via on-site resident staff and external agencies. Residents commit to pursuing lasting change through support with daily life tasks, upskilling programmes, vocational education, personal development and employment.' The trust hit consent issues at its current site this year. On March 5, the council sent an abatement notice ordering the 'unconsented' facility to cease operations and take steps to gain consent. Rehabilitation centres could be considered community housing under the District Plan, but must only have up to eight residents, whose movements could not be legally restricted – including by parole conditions. Pūwhakamua was hosting 14 parolees in February when the council inspected after neighbours raised concerns. The abatement notice was cancelled on March 24. Council destination development group manager Jean-Paul Gaston told Local Democracy Reporting an investigation into activities on the site was ongoing. He declined to comment further, saying the council did not intend to conduct the investigation through the media. Trust chairman Doug Macredie said the abatement notice was a 'non-event based on incorrect information' and was quickly cancelled. 'That said, we've taken the opportunity to review our land use in accordance with tikanga, and will continue in humility and thankfulness.' Macredie said the Waikite Valley consent notification was for the council to decide. 'We are progressing with the full support of our network and observing improved accuracy of information resulting in greater public support.' He previously said no one who could not be safely managed in the community could live at Pūwhakamua and everyone referred was assessed while still in custody. Active gang members were not considered, community safety was the 'No 1 priority' and Pūwhakamua staff were on-site at all times. A Corrections spokesperson said finding safe accommodation for people lawfully required to be released from prison was one of its 'most significant challenges'. 'Without supported accommodation, they could be homeless and living on the streets or in cars. This would present an unacceptable safety risk to communities.' According to Corrections statements, the number of men living on site at Pūwhakamua had fluctuated from eight when the notice was cancelled to nine about two weeks ago and six as of Wednesday. Eight other participants in the programme lived off-site. Corrections' communities, partnerships and pathways deputy chief executive Sean Mason told Local Democracy Reporting last month that it met with trust and council after the abatement notice. He understood the trust sought independent advice to ensure Pūwhakamua was compliant and was keeping Corrections informed. The department had developed a contingency plan in place to safely house the residents if they had needed to leave Pūwhakamua. Mason said reintegration services were important in reducing the risk of reoffending. A communication from the council to the trust, sent to Local Democracy Reporting by Corrections, said the abatement notice was cancelled to allow time for an independent planning consultant to consider an assessment undertaken on behalf of the trust.
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Rotorua council publicly notifies Pūwhakamua consent application amid investigation
It was the brainchild of reformed drug lord Billy Macfarlane, who works as general manager, and is run by Tikanga Aroro Charitable Trust, with a contract from the Department of Corrections. Pūwhakamua has been operating on the leased site since 2018 and Corrections has funded it at least $4.6 million since November 2022. The trust aimed to develop a new site on nearby Māori land behind Rotokawa Baths, but landowners successfully sought an injunction through the Māori Land Court, meaning it had to find another new home. The trust applied for resource consent in October to relocate to Waikite, about 40km south of Rotorua. It had requested limited notification be carried out for immediate neighbours and that submissions be invited through a formal process. Community members told councillors last year they opposed the facility relocation, fearing the rural setting increased safety and security risks. They called for full public notification, allowing wider submissions. The Rotorua Rural Community Board was advised in a meeting on Tuesday the application would be publicly notified. The trust's application said the rural environment meant a 'focus on cultural values can be fostered away from the distractions of an urban environment'. 'Full support and care are provided through the programme via on-site resident staff and external agencies. Residents commit to pursuing lasting change through support with daily life tasks, upskilling programmes, vocational education, personal development and employment.' The trust hit consent issues at its current site this year. On March 5, the council sent an abatement notice ordering the 'unconsented' facility to cease operations and take steps to gain consent. Rehabilitation centres could be considered community housing under the District Plan, but must only have up to eight residents, whose movements could not be legally restricted – including by parole conditions. Pūwhakamua was hosting 14 parolees in February when the council inspected after neighbours raised concerns. The abatement notice was cancelled on March 24. Council destination development group manager Jean-Paul Gaston told Local Democracy Reporting an investigation into activities on the site was ongoing. He declined to comment further, saying the council did not intend to conduct the investigation through the media. Trust chairman Doug Macredie said the abatement notice was a 'non-event based on incorrect information' and was quickly cancelled. 'That said, we've taken the opportunity to review our land use in accordance with tikanga, and will continue in humility and thankfulness.' Macredie said the Waikite Valley consent notification was for the council to decide. 'We are progressing with the full support of our network and observing improved accuracy of information resulting in greater public support.' He previously said no one who could not be safely managed in the community could live at Pūwhakamua and everyone referred was assessed while still in custody. Active gang members were not considered, community safety was the 'No 1 priority' and Pūwhakamua staff were on-site at all times. A Corrections spokesperson said finding safe accommodation for people lawfully required to be released from prison was one of its 'most significant challenges'. 'Without supported accommodation, they could be homeless and living on the streets or in cars. This would present an unacceptable safety risk to communities.' According to Corrections statements, the number of men living on site at Pūwhakamua had fluctuated from eight when the notice was cancelled to nine about two weeks ago and six as of Wednesday. Eight other participants in the programme lived off-site. Corrections' communities, partnerships and pathways deputy chief executive Sean Mason told Local Democracy Reporting last month that it met with trust and council after the abatement notice. He understood the trust sought independent advice to ensure Pūwhakamua was compliant and was keeping Corrections informed. The department had developed a contingency plan in place to safely house the residents if they had needed to leave Pūwhakamua. Mason said reintegration services were important in reducing the risk of reoffending. A communication from the council to the trust, sent to Local Democracy Reporting by Corrections, said the abatement notice was cancelled to allow time for an independent planning consultant to consider an assessment undertaken on behalf of the trust.
