Opinions split on Ocean Beach | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

LAWRENCE GULLERY

More than 160 submissions have been received on the future of Ocean Beach but it will be at least another year before a formal plan change is made governing any development there.

A myriad of groups have lined up to have their say on what should happen: Non-government organisations, environmental groups, statutory agencies, Maori, private companies and Ocean Beach landowners.

Their reports will be formally accepted by the Hastings District Council tomorrow when council officers try to summarise all 165 submissions.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said from his first glance at the submissions, he believed there was equal support for development and no development at Ocean Beach.

Mr Yule said he wanted the plan change at draft stage by July next year before the new council was elected in October.

"This whole process is going to take a year and I am keen for this council to make a decision, rather than leaving it for the next council," he said.

"These are the first findings we've had from the public but people will have another chance to have their say during the draft plan change (in early December)."

The council's strategic development manager, Mark Clews, has been responsible for collecting and reviewing the submissions. His report said there were submissions that opposed the charrette master-plan option and the proposed 540 dwellings

It was suggested while the development "footprint" for the plan was confined to a small part of the breach, it would consume a sizeable part of the beach area most accessible to the community.

Several submitters thought Ocean Beach was not the best location for a new settlement and it should be located elsewhere in the district, where there would be less environmental impact.

A large number thought some development might be appropriate, as long as it was low-impact. The majority of submitters believed the northern end of

Ocean Beach should be protected from development.

Those opposing any development said the beach environment was incapable of absorbing any residential development.