Spatial Plan feedback extensive

Published on 01 April 2022

As you are aware, not too long ago we asked our community how we should grow Oamaru, Weston and Kakanui area over the next 30 years. We would like to thank everyone who took the time to give us feedback on our Draft Spatial Plan - we have listened! The feedback has been extensive with over 800 responses on a variety of issues. We’ve summarised your feedback and the recommendations provided to the Council. 

Some of the key recommendations relating to future growth are:

• For the Council to not zone public reserves as potential new areas for residential development 
• To consider reducing the amount of land currently zoned for rural residential development/lifestyle blocks to help protect against further subdivision of productive farmland 
• Identify potential areas close to the existing towns for building residential homes over the next 30 years 
• Look at some design controls for new housing in some parts of Oamaru close to the town centre 
• Provision to establish a local centre in Kakanui 
• Identify areas for future growth in Kakanui over the longer term should the need arise 

These recommendations, if adopted by the Council, will be part of the final Spatial Plan. The Spatial Plan will be used to inform the Draft District Plan that is due to be released in a few months' time for community feedback. This will provide you with a further opportunity to get more details of how the Spatial Plan could be implemented over the next 10 years. We will be providing a range of opportunities to engage with us on the Draft District Plan over a 12- week period through drop-in sessions, our website, and social media platforms. Thank you Waitaki people for kindly sharing your thoughts with us and being part of this journey. We look forward to hearing more from you and our community soon.

The Spatial Plan will be discussed by Committee members at the 5 April Extraordinary Community, Culture and Regulatory meeting so that it can be recommended for adoption by Council (at the 10 May Council Meeting). View Agenda papers here: Extraordinary CCR Committee Meeting - 5 April 2022