Porirua City Council has formally adopted its new District Plan, marking a major step in shaping the city’s future development while safeguarding the environment.
Chief Executive Wendy Walker said the plan was the result of years of work by staff and community members. “After 480 submissions and eight hearings, all appeals have now been resolved and the plan can come into operation. It will replace the Council’s existing district plan and is a significant milestone for the city to help us get the right development in the right places,” she said.
The District Plan sets the framework for how land will be used across the city. It provides for more housing choice, adjusts the size of rural lifestyle blocks, and identifies areas at risk from natural hazards to ensure more resilient planning. At the same time, it protects cultural, environmental and historic sites valued by Porirua residents.
The Government directed councils in 2022 to enable more medium- and high-density housing. Walker said Porirua’s plan responds to this while also caring for the natural environment. “We support the government’s focus on providing more homes for people and have done our best to achieve that in a way that also takes care of the natural environment, particularly the health of Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour,” she said.
Council worked in partnership with Ngāti Toa Rangatira, who contributed to drafting several chapters and reviewed the entire plan before it was made public.
The new District Plan will become operative next month.