The ‘gen’ on resource management

The Council provides financial assistance to Christchurch Community Law Centre for the centre’s Resource Management Service. This operates as an advisory service on an appointment basis as well as a general telephone information service. It provides advice and information to the public on environmental law and resource management planning-related matters.

Now the Council has agreed to provide further funding for an additional initiative.

The aim of the new initiative is to hold on-demand education talks in the community, with presentations covering an explanation of the Resource Management Act; making resource consent applications; the resource consent process, and writing submissions. The objective is to service residents’ needs, on their own turf, when an issue arises in their area - as well as educating interested groups when invited to.

For further details contact RMS co-ordinator Joy Burt on 366-6870 or email rms@comlaw-chch.org.nz.

New rubbish bags

Council rubbish bags should have been delivered throughout the city by 17 April. If you haven’t received them, please contact your local service centre.

This year’s bags have handles and are made of lighter material but are stronger. They also look smaller than last year’s but are designed to comply with a specified 50-litre capacity.

The biggest difference is in the closing - tie the handles together and use them to lift the bag. Old bags will still be accepted.

PROPOSED VARIATION NO. 50 TO THE CHRISTCHURCH PROPOSED CITY PLAN

The Christchurch City Council has prepared Variation No. 50 to the Proposed Christchurch City Plan. The nature of the Variation is as follows:

Variation 50 proposes to rezone an area of land west of Dickeys Road in the vicinity of the Groynes from Open Space 2 (O2) to Rural 4 (Ru 4). The land, which is privately owned, being a portion of a larger property legally described as Part Rural Section 762 was incorrectly zoned as Open Space 2. The Variation rectifies the error by rezoning the land to Rural 4.

The Variation and Assessment may be inspected during normal opening hours at any Council library and the following Council offices:

• Civic Offices, 163 Tuam Street
• Beckenham Service Centre, 66 Colombo Street
• Fendalton Service Centre, cnr Jeffreys and Clyde Roads
• Linwood Service Centre, 180 Smith Street
• Papanui Service Centre, Cnr Langdons Road and Restell Street
• Riccarton Service Centre, Shop 13, Smiths City Centre, Rotherham Street
• Shirley Service Centre, 36 Marshland Road
• Sockburn Service Centre, 149 Main South Road

Any person may make a submission on this Variation. Submissions must be in writing and in the prescribed form (Form 3) in the Resource Management (Forms) Regulations 1991 or similar. Forms are available from the Council Offices listed above.

Once all submissions have been received, the Council will prepare and publicly notify a summary of the submissions. All the submissions will be available for public inspection. There will be the opportunity for anyone to make a submission in support of or in opposition to any of these submissions. A Council hearing will then be arranged to consider all submissions and decisions will be made. Anyone who has made a submission will have the right to attend the hearing and present his or her submission. Generally, anyone who has made a submission also has the right of appeal against a Council decision to the Environment Court. Once all submissions and appeals have been resolved the Proposed Variation will be made operative.

Note: 1. Any submission that has already been made on a provision in the Proposed Plan affected by this Variation is deemed to be a submission on this Variation.

2. From the date of public notification of a Variation the Proposed Plan shall have effect as if it had been so varied. The closing date for submissions is Tuesday, 23 May 2000, at Civic Offices and any other Council Office before 5.00pm.

Dated at Christchurch this 17th day of April 2000

Jane Donaldson
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES MANAGER

Paint warning

Warning! Oil- based paints should not be put down sewers, drains or stormwater sumps, says Council trades waste manager Norm Fitt.

Paint and solvent mixtures, such as turpentine, should not be disposed of this way either.

They will cause problems whether in streams, harbours, underground water supplies, the sanitary sewer s and sewage treatment plant. Oil- based paint residue can be left uncovered in the tin to completely dry out, then disposed of in the normal refuse.