Rangitīkei residents to have say on where growth should occur

Residents are being asked to share their aspirations for their settlements, villages and towns. Including where new homes, commercial/retail buildings and industry should be allowed.

Pae Tawhiti Rangitīkei Beyond is a spatial roadmap that will support Council’s infrastructure planning and the development of a new district plan – setting the development direction of the district through to 2050 and beyond.

Mayor Andy Watson said, ‘’Essentially, we are preparing our communities and district for the next 30years. Our district is growing again after many years of decline.”

“We now have about 16,000 residents and are on track to grow to 25,000. We expect most growth will occur in and around Marton and Bulls, followed by Taihape. While the population in the rest of Rangitīkei will also increase, Rangitīkei will essentially retain its rural focus.”

“We’re keen to hear from our smaller settlements from Moawhango, in the north-east to Turakina in the west about whether we should allow lifestyle blocks around them. And, from mana whenua about their plans for papakāinga or homes on traditional lands.”

Rangitīkei District Council Senior Strategic Planner Katrina Gray said, the name Pae Tawhiti Rangitīkei Beyond project refers to the distant horizon.

“We aim to identify future land-use changes in each community to accommodate growth. It will also identify areas that should be protected from future development.”

“Through the engagement process, we want to gather as much information so that we reflect the community’s cultural, economic, environmental and social values. It will guide community Council’s land use and infrastructure planning across the district and identify major projects for the future.”

Pae Tawhiti Rangitīkei Beyond Engagement period starts on Friday 4 March 2022 and feedback should be given by 5 pm Tuesday 19 April 2022. There are many ways to have your say:

• Full online engagement document and community summary documents can be found here www.rangitikei.govt.nz/paetawhiti
• Printed copies of the engagement document can be sourced from the Council office’s in Marton, Bulls or Taihape or requested by emailing info@rangitikei.govt.nz or calling 0800 422 522.

For more information: Katrina Gray, Senior Strategic Planner
027 287 3148 | Katrina.Gray@rangitikei.govt.nz