744 days ago

Draft District Plan could make your property unsellable

Rae from Maungaraki

haveyoursay@huttcity.govt.nz

Are you aware that the draft district plan could make your property totally unsellable?
Are you aware that many properties on the hillside suburbs will be listed as hazard prone?
Do you care about native conservation? Or climate change? Or water conservation?
Do you plan, one day, to subdivide your property for retirement income?
The District Plan proposes rezoning hillside properties from medium density to Large Lot... “where there are constraints... such as steep slopes or a lack of infrastructure.”
Your property may not be steep but if surrounding areas are, this is considered hazardous, and will impact your property values and saleability.
Council has asked for feedback. Have Your Say now BEFORE 15 December 2023. To the above email.
We have had ours. See below. You may have similar or additional issues. Read the draft plan now. And act.
“Our property has neither steep slopes nor lacks infrastructure; nor threatens hazards to others; unlike some properties bordering us.
The entities (Hutt City Council and Wellington Regional Council) must accept the legal and financial implications of knowingly permitting by-law/regulation breaches by property developers thereon to remove top soil down to the water table and replace it with 15 feet of erosion prone, slip prone, uncompacted, unretained clay to build on.....
New by-law needed: where Council/Developer breaches cause hazards such as steep, unretained, or tree stripped properties, or infrastructure damage; causing them to slip down onto existing properties, or cause flooding; requiring clearing and restoration, that neglect and/or breach of regulations should be remedied at the expense of developers/owners; if not the Councils.
Some years ago we were told the Council was retaining a native bush clad, steep, block of Council land on our western boundary to:
a) create a future water reservoir
b) include in native bush/bird and fauna 'restoration corridors' linked throughout the district; which delighted us.
Within a few years we discovered that block of land had been sold to a developer without public notification of any kind. So much for the birds etc. Have these "restoration/regenerative corridors' been removed from district plans. If so why? Short-sighted not only from a native conservation perspective but also in enhancing carbon sequestration for climate change. They should be restored.
Given the catastrophic state of Wellington's 40% water loss, decisions not to build reservoirs seems not only short sighted but unconscionable. These should be added to the District Plan.

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6 days ago

Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.

We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?

Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.

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Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
  • 53.5% Yes
    53.5% Complete
  • 46.5% No
    46.5% Complete
2008 votes
5 days ago

A riddle to start the festive season 🌲🎁🌟

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I'm a fruit. If you take away my first letter, I'm a crime. If you take away my first two letters, I'm an animal. If you take away my first and last letter, I'm a form of music. What am I?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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2 days ago

‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...

The Team from New Zealand Police

As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.

Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.

There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”

A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105

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