Local resource management consultant/planners such as Allan Cubitt (also an independent commissioner that the Dunedin City Council calls on from time to time) and Don Anderson (Anderson & Co) are ‘chipping away’ at the Dunedin City District Plan zoning provisions with greater insistence out on the Taieri, in (surprise!) Cr Syd Brown’s patch, the Mosgiel Taieri ward.
We have the Veggie Boys application for retrospective resource consent coming to hearing on 10 April (see earlier post, Fresh veggies, a holiday mystery), hosted by Don Anderson. Meanwhile, DCC has allowed Veggie Boys to trade without resource consent since last year. There is some heat on the Council to clarify the planning issues (after a run of five non-notified consents involving Wallis Nurseries ‘destination’ developments, thus the notified application. DCC has sought a legal opinion but refuses to release it.
Veggie Boys Ltd (LUC-2012-563 Resource Consent Application)
There are only three submitters opposing the application. Wider than this application is the matter of “how much leeway” Wallis Nurseries have received from Council to extend their commercial retail activities – of which Veggie Boys is a part – in the rural zone, on high class soils. In particular, the development of ‘Wal’s Plant and Fun Land’ by fragmentary consenting processes, with the potential for cumulative adverse effects arising.
In its repeating, whole-page Easter advertising in the Otago Daily Times, Wal’s boasts there is now a commercial florist on site, and a “Great New Professional Driving Range for Golfers” has opened (a rather average flat farm paddock with cheap distance marking signs – something you’d normally want to crop, in a rural zone)…
It’s clear the land use is changing in a way that undermines the district plan Rural Zone provisions, and all without a private plan change application.
Will granting consent to Veggie Boys set a precedent that (widely) undermines zoning in the District Plan?
If consent is granted to Veggie Boys, is this the (surreptitious) track a supermarket chain would go down to open up for business outside Mosgiel’s Local Activity Area (LA1)? In a word…
****
### ODT Online Tue, 2 Apr 2013
Saddle Hill house sites bid debated
By Debbie Porteous
The Dunedin City Council has been warned that if it grants consent for more residential development on the lower and middle slopes of Saddle Hill, the rest of the hill will soon follow.
But the consulting planner for developers planning two new subdivisions on the hill has told the council’s hearings committee he is not sure people care that much about it.
Read more
Interesting to read Allan Cubitt’s ‘planning’ assault on the Rural Zone, on behalf of developers wanting to subdivide the lower rise of Saddle Hill. To be taken with a pinch of salt, his badass statements include this on the lack of submissions from people living on the Taieri:
”I would suggest that they expect this type of development in this location and are not overly concerned about it, if they ever were … the lower/mid slopes of Saddle Hill do not appear to have a great deal of significance to residents in the area. I suspect the general public realise Dunedin is a hilly place so to restrict elevated building options within the city just because someone may see it, isn’t valid or appropriate.”
There’s a great deal of public sensitivity surrounding the future of Saddle Hill with regards to subdivision and quarrying – it is substantially a district plan zoning and landscape matter.
People leading busy lives – without time, knowledge and resources – should not be buried by DCC’s perpetual paperchase calling for an endless stream of submission-making on resource consents, spatial plan, district plan review, plan changes, whole city and area strategies, or other. On balance, we wouldn’t automatically or superficially conclude similarly to Mr Cubitt.
With Saddle Hill and the Taieri in general, it seems, a plan change process is far preferable to ‘chipping away’ by an ad hoc lingering resource consenting process, to assess the merits of land use (zoning) and to quantify the rural and landscape values for protection(s) against entirely foreseeable, wanton attempts to damage, modify or destroy the existing rural environment (cumulative adverse effects).
City Planning has its work cut out.
Perhaps note the commercial forces lined up in the background to pillage the Taieri Plain, Saddle Hill and Outram areas for Wanaka-like subdivisions (‘dippieville’ strikes again). Probably why you need a Veggie Boys now, to open the gate to was it (open-slather) ‘retail amenity’…
Cr Syd Brown has for years declared his hand in residential subdivision activity, squandering land for housing and own wealth. His developer friends and cousins seem to enjoy (oh so quietly) his ongoing patronage at council – as happens if ‘the movers’ can keep clipping tickets and to hell with high class soils, zoning rules, lack of stormwater drainage from the Mosgiel main street, and lack of appropriate swimming pool amenity, etc.
Cr Brown knows how to back-slap the Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board. We think it’s called control. We suggest Cr Brown has to go in the October elections, especially if through rugby and racing he is a fair-weather friend of Murray Acklin, Queenstown; a gentleman and his files currently under the stare of SFO.
—
Posted by Elizabeth Kerr
What if? Dunedin... 
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And this surprises anyone ….. why?
Council Planner’s report received by mail today for Veggie Boys
OMG 357 pages of reading…
It is interesting watching the development of the Taieri as compared to other areas in Dunedin. It is if they were two separate areas as in the past before amalgamation. Cone Peak, the mayor’s hideaway, has no significance in the scheme of things, except that a lot of ratepayer funds have disappeared into it, or under it, to protect it as it was. Saddle hill on the other hand is in Cr Brown’s patch, and has major significance in both Maori and European history. Has no ratepayer assistance or district plan protection from its ever present destruction for roading projects, and the ugly scars of buildings. Is it any wonder that the Taieri has become a developers’ dream for a quick buck when it is a ward on its own that the other 10 councillors are not answerable to by that ward’s voters? That makes it easy pickings for the developers.
Whippet – A real shame Silver Peaks County Council and its predecessor were forced to amalgamation with DCC by the New Zealand government! It’s at that point protection for high class soils and protection of the rural area from aimless money-grubbing subdivision, by property speculators such as Cr Brown set in – the erosion continues largely unabated. Mainly due, since 1989, to iterations of the gormless ‘urbanised’ City Planning team and the questionable performance of the various Hearings Committees.
Let’s hope independent commissioner David Benson-Pope, chairing the Veggie Boys hearings committee, does not roll over!
There is too much to lose.
### ch9.co.nz April 4, 2013 – 7:11pm
Planner recommends request be denied
A DCC planner has recommended a request by Dunedin business Veggie Boys to open an outlet in Mosgiel be denied. But Veggie Boys will be hoping 142 submissions in support of its bid tip the balance at a resource consent hearing next week. The company has applied for consent to open a retail outlet at Wal’s Plant [and Fun] Land in Mosgiel. But the site is zoned rural, and the activity is non-complying under the council’s district plan. A council planner has recommended the application be turned down. A hearing led by former councillor and MP David Benson-Pope will consider both sides next Wednesday.
Ch9 Link (no video available)
### ODT Online Fri, 5 Apr 2013
City planners oppose site
By Debbie Porteous
Retrospective consent for a Veggie Boys outlet on the outskirts of Mosgiel should not be granted because it would set a precedent that would allow grocery stores to operate in rural areas, Dunedin City Council planners say. The Veggie Boys store is on the site of Wal’s Plant and Fun Land in Bush Rd. Business activity on the site has grown from a nursery selling plants grown on-site that added sales of garden supplies and some plants and produce grown off-site, to a mini-golf and miniature train operation and a cafe, permitted through a series of six resource consents issued since 2007. Veggie Boys consultant planner Don Anderson said the company took out a lease with the landowner, Daisy Link Garden Centres Ltd, early last year, understanding it was able to sell what it wanted to under existing consents.
Read more
Unbelievable. Don Anderson a consultant Planner, who appears not to have done his basic work, and read what were the conditions of the existing consents before advising his clients. No doubt he expects to get paid as well.
That’s our hire-a-don.
Sounds like Elisabeth and Tomo should join the ranks of the Town Planning department and make a better job of it. Given the continual negitive outlook they share, I would not like to want them doing my building consents when I have an entrepenural concept. Failing that, you should learn what libelous statements are and reconsider what you are printing in a public forum.
Not offering any light editing services, especially since City Planning doesn’t approve Building Consents. And I don’t know how to spell entrepreneurial, if it relates to activities that are Out Of Zone and clearly non-complying.
I can also spell “negative” and “libellous” and “Elizabeth” correctly. Possibly would also have written “I would not want them…” rather than “I would not like to want them…”
Today’s hearing for the Veggie Boys (retrospective) resource consent application was of relatively short duration – over by lunch time.
Difficult to know where this one will end up, given doubt expressed over the (unknown) source of water supply to their premises (not their fault, it’s more about what’s happened previously across several properties in the tenure of Wallis’s Nurseries) – and more.
Veggie Boys are obviously well liked by their Mosgiel customer base, let’s hope they can find somewhere to trade in the Mosgiel Local Activity zone rather than the Rural zone…. Just a thought.
### ODT Online Thu, 11 Apr 2013
Precedent issue in consent application
By Debbie Porteous
Allowing Veggie Boys to operate on the Taieri will not set a precedent because it is in a unique situation, the company says. The shop was located at Wal’s Plant and Fun Land among a cluster of other commercial operations, which was the only reason it was viable for the company, co-owner Marty Hay told a hearings committee yesterday. However, it was also the only such arrangement in Dunedin’s rural zone, so it was unlikely other operations would apply to do the same thing, he said. He said Veggie Boys’ intention was never to deliberately try to circumvent planning requirements by setting up shop in rural Taieri.
The store is in a rural zone but city planners are concerned that granting consent for its continued operation would encourage other businesses to apply to do the same thing in the rural zone.
Opponent Brian Miller said he was concerned that granting the consent would open the door to more commercial retail on the site and that places such as McArthurs, which sells mostly its own produce in its store near Outram, could then say they wanted to sell meat or milk and bread as well. ”I feel this would give them a foot in the door to expand.” He said he welcomed Veggie Boys in the area but in the right place as provided for in the district plan – in the Mosgiel activity zone, not on the Taieri. This sort of activity should be done by a plan change, rather than a resource consent.
Read more
Veggie Boys
ODT did themselves proud today, yessir!
Page 10 – colour advert, Wal’s Plant and Fun Land (see below)
Followed by, way back at page 32 (General) coverage of the Veggie Boys’ hearing – as a colleague points out “…the ODT gave a much larger coverage to Veggie Boys, and never really covered the main issues, but when one considers the income that the ODT is getting from Wal’s in adverts it is easy to see how they want to put them in a more positive light… It was put in the back pages after the positive advert about Wal’s.”
Proposed Outram private plan changes taking considerably long to process at DCC……..
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### ODT Online Fri, 10 May 2013
Council still examining Outram proposals
By Chris Morris
Decisions on two proposed subdivisions at Outram – which together could add more than 50 homes to the town – could be months away yet, Dunedin City Council staff say. The council has been considering two separate private plan change requests since receiving applications from Two Note Ltd and Balmoral Developments (Outram) Ltd last year.
Read more
### ODT Online Sat, 1 Jun 2013
Outram to get water treatment upgrade
By Debbie Porteous
Outram residents on the Taieri Plain can expect to have a water supply that meets official drinking standards by summer. A $500,000 upgrade of the water treatment plant for the rural Dunedin suburb will start in the second half of this year. The upgrade involves installing bug-killing UV treatment at the plant, which will bring the water to a quality that complies with current drinking water standards. The UV treatment will result in a reduced need for boil-water notices in the area.
Read more
### ODT Online Tue, 4 Jun 2013
Syd Brown’s subdivision to almost double in size
By Chris Morris
A Dunedin city councillor’s subdivision in Mosgiel has gained approval to almost double in size, with a $426,000 bill attached. Cr Syd Brown, who is behind the 10ha 212-lot Highland Park subdivision in Hagart Alexander Dr, has been granted non-notified consent for the next two stages of the development. Stages one to four, together totalling 46 new homes, were already consented and sold, and construction was either under way or complete.
Council staff last week approved stages five and six, allowing plans for another 37 homes to proceed, almost doubling the size of the development. Cr Brown said last week the development was proceeding ”well beyond my expectations”.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/259600/syd-browns-subdivision-almost-double-size
The pimps (property speculators) never die, sadly!
—
### ODT Online Tue, 18 Jun 2013
Subdivision plan ‘sign of times’
By Chris Morris
Plans for a new residential subdivision in Waverley are a sign of the times, the developer’s consultant says. Auckland-based developers Suneet Gupta and Harkesh Arora have been granted two overlapping non-notified consents by the Dunedin City Council for the subdivision at 27 Everton Rd. The consents allowed a 15-lot subdivision, or a smaller 11-lot subdivision with a different layout, on the site. Paterson Pitts Group director Kurt Bowen – whose company was assisting the developers – said the pair were now considering their options before committing to a preferred plan. However, he believed the project showed re-emerging activity in Dunedin’s residential property development market, which had been ”more buoyant” in recent months.
Read more
Release of decision for Plan Change 14: Holyhead Street Outram (Residential 6 Zone) (PDF, 366.6 KB)
Decision of the Hearings Committee 13 June 2013
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—
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Balmoral Developments (Outram) Limited requested the Proposed Plan Change to the Dunedin City District Plan.
[Cathrine and Neville Ferguson, Directors, Balmoral Developments (Outram) Ltd]
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More about Plan Change 14:
https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/your-council/district-plan/district-plan-changes/plan-change-14
### ODT Online
‘No’ to former market garden development
By Chris Morris on Sat, 22 Jun 2013
One of two bids to subdivide rural parts of Outram has been rejected by the Dunedin City Council’s hearings committee. Balmoral Developments (Outram) Ltd, together with two adjoining landowners, had sought a private plan change to rezone 6.7ha of rural land for residential use. The change would have allowed them to develop 24 new homes on the land, located at the township’s edge, but ran into opposition from neighbours and other submitters at a public hearing in February.
In a written decision released this week, the council’s hearings committee – chaired by Cr Colin Weatherall – rejected the application, saying it would not be the most efficient use of natural and physical resources. In particular, the committee worried the plan change would allow the spread of residential development into rural areas. The subdivision would create a ”relatively small” number of new homes, but at the expense of productive high-class soils on the site, which was formerly the home of a market garden. There was also ”no evidence of clear demand” for the subdivision in Outram, when other sections – both within Outram and elsewhere in Dunedin – were already zoned and remained available for development, it said.
Read more
Outram. This one’s likely to go to appeal.
### ODT Online Sat, 20 Jul 2013
Court threat over land plan rejection
By Chris Morris
A landowner embroiled in a dispute over Saddle Hill quarrying is threatening to take the Dunedin City Council to the Environment Court for a second time. The warning came yesterday from Calvin Fisher, a union official and the director of Saddle View Estate Ltd. He was reacting to the Dunedin City Council hearings committee’s decision this week to reject two subdivision applications for the slopes of the Dunedin landmark. Mr Fisher’s company was among three landowners who together filed two applications for consent to subdivide four 15ha properties. If approved, their proposals would have together created 16 new undersized rural properties, each of between 2ha and 11.2ha, spread over 60ha of land. The committee, chaired by Cr Colin Weatherall, released written decisions this week declining consent for all the requests. Cr Weatherall said the committee had concluded the proposals risked damaging the area’s rural amenity – effectively creating a new rural-residential zone – and ”significantly” undermining the district plan.
Read more
Related Post and Comments:
9.1.13 Fresh veggies, a holiday mystery
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12.4.13 Comment by Elizabeth at another thread.
### ODT Online Fri, 12 Apr 2013
Landowner willing to waive right to sue
By Chris Morris
A Waitati landowner who wants to subdivide his property, despite concerns about flooding, says he would waive any right to sue the Dunedin City Council should disaster strike.
However, the development has been rejected by members of the Blueskin Baywatch group, as spokeswoman Geraldine Tait warned the village had already been subdivided ”to within an inch of its life”.
Mark Thom, of Invermark Investments Ltd, has applied to the Dunedin City Council for consent to subdivide 16ha of rural land at 13 McLachlan St, between existing Waitati homes and nearby Blueskin Bay.
The subdivision would create four new rural residential sites, each between 1.5ha and 2ha in size, for three new homes and one existing home. All four homes would be on higher ground to the southwest of the site, close to existing homes and away from the worst of any flooding risk, it was claimed. The remaining land, closest to Blueskin Bay, would not be built on, and could be included in a reserve offered to the council.
The proposal attracted 33 submissions – 29 opposed, two in support and two neutral, although one supporting submission was withdrawn at the beginning of yesterday’s hearing. Submitters worried about the risk of flooding, inundation from a tsunami or sea-level rise, as well as the impact on birdlife, archaeological sites and the loss of rural amenity.
Read more
Granted!
Yay, I love vegeboys…clearly the independent committee knows a little more about what’s good for the city than some nay-sayers. Good result.
I hope Veggie Boys (and Wallis’s Nurseries) decides to get a legal water connection sometime SOON.
Another frivolous DCC decision.
Wal’s is already described as a (out of zone) hub. It is currently selling wood and coal outside of resource consent conditions set.
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### ODT Online Fri, 10 May 2013
Panel backs Veggie Boys’ Mosgiel operation
Allowing Veggie Boys to continue to operate at Wal’s Plant and Fun Land at Mosgiel is not likely to create a precedent, hearings commissioner David Benson-Pope says. A consent for a retail sales outlet at the Bush Rd site has been granted by a panel chaired by Mr Benson-Pope, on behalf of the Dunedin City Council. Veggie Boys operates alongside Wal’s Nursery which had expanded from a nursery selling plants grown on-site, to sales of garden supplies and some plants and produce grown off-site, to a mini-golf and miniature train operation and a cafe, permitted through a series of six resource consents issued since 2007. At a hearing in April, submitters expressed concern about the additional retail outlet setting a precedent that would allow grocery stores to operate in rural areas and its impact on the council’s spatial plan.
Read more
Last month, a new Veggie Boys opened at 64 Macandrew Road, South Dunedin.
Who’s putting up the money for expansion ?
14.11.13 Veggie Boys a business on the grow
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/business/281250/dunedin-store-marks-expansion
“Who’s putting up the money for expansion?” The usual, the banks I expect. They’re willing to lend to successful businesses, and the Veggie Boys’ shops are busy places so I expect there’s a steady inflow of money.
Wrong answer.
Yes, but is it a Bad Thing, “selling … outside of resource consent conditions set”? There used to be little shopping centres scattered all over the place in suburbs and townships. Many of them died when income had to be paid into the bank, whether the worker/beneficiary found it convenient or not, then the Post Office Savings Banks closed. So where people had got their pay in their hand, or benefit voucher in the mail to be cashed at the local store or anywhere that was willing, they had to go to “town” to make a withdrawal – this was when credit cards were either unavailable to all or unavailable to all but the rich. Then, being in town, people did their shopping, got their haircut, stopped for a sit-down and a cuppa at a coffee bar and came home, ignoring the local shops which faded and died. Now a centre is offering a variety of goods, different yet similar to the old centres. I get the point about water, see Elizabeth’s comment above: “I hope Veggie Boys (and Wallis’s Nurseries) decides to get a legal water connection sometime SOON.” Other than that what’s the drama? What’s the harm? Does it REALLY mean that from now on any businesses that want to set up anywhere MUST be given approval? From an eco / sustainability p.o.v. having necessities available within shorter travelling distances of consumers is more good than bad, isn’t it?
Still in the period to APPEAL.
Hype asks ‘Whats the harm ? Does it really mean that from now on any business that want to set up anywhere MUST be given approval?’
Quite right Hype. If I want to start a brothel next to your place, why should I have to get approval?. A good income earner with export potential.
Some years ago the 2 women next door went into the sex biz. It took a long time before I clicked, or rather someone mentioned that the frequent visitors whose cars were parked on the street for a while were clients not ordinary friends. There was no trouble, no interference with my life. If someone wants to start a brothel next to my place it’s better than a houseful of “innocent” people who like playing loud bass-heavy music at top volume with all the windows open, the better to share with the neighborhood. Or doing burn-outs, or panel-beating their cars at all hours…. Had those nearby, wouldn’t want them again. Is there a way to appeal against their moving in? No.
Come on Hype. On the one hand you appear to be advocating that business should be able to set up anywhere without approval. That would included any business that wanted to make noise whether it was a band or a panel beater. Then on the other hand you ask ‘is there any way to appeal against their moving in’. Make up your mind Hype. You can’t have it both ways, or are you just another bloody nimby?
Does this decision mean that Cr Syd Brown’s vision for Dunedin/ Mosgiel is now complete and his work, and raison d’etre, has been done?
Peter, that guy has to go! Along with Kate Wilson and friends!
Mosgiel-Taieri businesses and (related turkeys on the community board) will be rubbing their hands with delight at the expansion of speculative sprawl – definitely, no affordable housing here – care of their local councillor. Nothing like the thought of money to keep your ward seat hot (Syd’s been so quiet lately…).
Community Board elected members:
Bill Feather, Barry Barbour, Teresa Christie, Martin Dillon, Brian Miller, Sandra Wilson.
http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/your-council/community-boards/mosgiel-taieri
*Teresa Christie is the wife of John Christie, the Otago Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive.
On a vulgar note, a reminder that the late John McKinlay (from the McKinlay shoe family) referred to the CoC as the Pisspot* of Commerce.
[from chamber-pot a.k.a. pottie or gozunder – goes under the bed]
I wonder why I have remembered that for nearly 50 years, could it be that a within the joke/metaphor lies a kernel of truth that has been refreshed regularly over the years?
It’s certainly a concern when Chamber of Commerce identities, such as Peter McIntyre and John Christie, became such fervent supporters of a project (guess which one!) that has proved so financially disastrous for Dunedin. It makes you wonder about their financial acumen…or was it lack of courage to speak out against the Big Boy promoters? Either way-shame.
While Stadium Councillor Syd Brown’s sub-division has doubled in size, Dunedin’s debt has doubled, tripled, quadrupled, and so on. It will continue to do so for decades. I’m still not sure what Mosgiel got out of it too but they keep voting him in so it must be pretty bloody awesome.
But at least everyone gets to share in the stadium, hotel and big oil. Nothing of any value, mind you. That’s already gone to the Stakeholders. You and me get the pleasure of looking at the people counting their money.
Hey, somebody’s got to come through it as the new rich guy.
Can’t wait till next year’s Queen’s Birthday honours. We may see a knighthood to go with the new wearer of the mayoral chains.
Sir Sydney Scintillating ?
That is the second decline in a week that Mr Page received. Not a good look for the costs incurred.
Let’s see what happens with the second proposed Plan Change [PC16] for Outram.
If the failed PC14 isn’t appealed I dare say it all helps add value to Cr Syd Brown’s subdivision – although did I hear one property of his has just dropped in price substantially? Hmmm.
(a) It’s not uncommon to price initially with view to having to discount a proportion of stock later without incurring a loss.
(b) Only one dropped in price? To below cost? Probably not, but if so won’t hurt regarding tax assessment.
Why do developers get hissy about having their non-compliant wants turned down? Are they the kind of people who believe rules are for someone else – possibly everyone else – not themselves? Are they the ones who park in disabled parking spaces because, unlike other able-bodied people, they’re in a hurry and “it’s only a few minutes”?
Why go to all the trouble of planning something that defies the clear rules – the District Plan – in the first place? Do they expect to get special treatment, and if so, what are the precedents that have led them to expect that this can be “arranged”?
Perhaps that is the aspect that should cause most concern. Sociopaths are always with us, the “rugged individuals” who bulldoze their way through society and the regulations that it puts in place. But those whose duty is to protect the rest of society from the actions of the no-rules few should have enough guts and enough integrity to do that duty, no swerving, no favouritism, no “you scratch my back…”.
With Syd going who on Council will pander to the Taieri developers next, apart from Consents team leader [one word: Wallis’s].
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/268468/consultant-slams-orcs-risk-aversion
Allan Cubitt can scream all he likes, City Planning and ORC are calling it correctly. Kind of get sick of the ‘residual risk’ he, with his various clients, presents to the Regional and District plans
Why is Andrew Noone chairing the panel deciding on a development within his own voting area ? I suppose that declaring a conflict of interest would be asking just a little too much.
Don’t ask awkward questions.
Subdivision allowed at Outram, of benefit…
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/294037/subdivision-seen-benefit-township
Council changes bring protest
Morclarke Developments (2009) Ltd was granted a subdivision consent last month allowing the creation of 25 lots in two stages at the former Waldronville School and play centre site. The company filed an objection on February 14, arguing some of the conditions attached to the consent were “too prescriptive”. Garry Clarke and Lloyd Morshuis are listed as the company directors.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/294235/council-changes-bring-protest
### ODT Online Tue, 11 Mar 2014
Council, developers agree to roading compromise
By Debbie Porteous
Dunedin City Council staff and the developers of a new subdivision in Waldronville say they can agree to a compromise on roading issues to allow the project to go ahead.
Read more
Umm…. what about urban sprawl? I thought we didn’t wan to encourage that now under the Spatial Plan. Silly me. I must have my facts wrong?
More rural land on the Taieri going to residential use, see comment:
### ODT Online Wed, 19 Mar 2014
Going with the flow
By Debbie Porteous
Outram residents should see improvements in water flow during peak times within a year, with two upgrades due to be completed. The pipeline upgrades had been scheduled [by DCC], and money was set aside in budgets, for the first stages to be done before July next year. The size of the main distribution pipe would be increased in a $250,000 upgrade and the first half of the ring main would also be upgraded at a cost of $300,000.
Read more
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Yeah the township needs good water. But. District Plan issues around all this. Future development? City council gets folded by developers, then votes for sprawl not the objectives of the Spatial Plan. We pay.
“Compact city plus resilient townships” is the current spatial plan
Contrary to all the private sector “rural subdivisions” planned…
PS. Mosgiel really needs that new supermarket, like it really needs Wal’s Place (destination hub by series of non-notified consents), and a new training pool for professional rugby near Syd’s subdivision. Not forgetting all that (subdivision) drainage paid for by a $500K pokie grant paid to Otago Racing Club (oh, via Taieri Pony Club) – mentioned at other threads, endorsed/driven by then Deputy Mayor Syd Brown (private developer).
### ODT Online Thu, 15 Oct 2015
Waste-connection request rejected
By Chris Morris
[…] A second application for an out-of-zone wastewater connection, for the Topiary Café at Wal’s Plant Land, near Mosgiel, was also declined by the committee, which cited concerns about pressure on the stretched wastewater network.
ODT Link
This from BP despite how many(!!) non notified consents granted to Mr Wallis the property owner over the years, thanks to the influence of former councillor Syd Brown ???
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### ODT Online Wed, 21 Oct 2015
‘Red carpet, not red tape’ plea ignored
By Chris Morris
Wal’s Plant Land might be a Mosgiel success story, but there is no room for its growth in the area’s over-stretched wastewater network, the Dunedin City Council has decided. Daisy Link Garden Centres Ltd last week applied to the Dunedin City Council to connect the Topiary Cafe, at Wal’s Plant Land, to the city’s wastewater network.
Read more
Resilient meaning the rest of us (the “compacted” majority) pay for expansion?
What in fact DOES resilient mean? What’s the difference between a resilient township and an interrupted-ribbon development of townships >> suburbs? Can you have a resilient anywhere-else, and if so where are the specifications? In the District Plan? How many households does it take to be resilient, can you be resilient if the neighbours aren’t?
Has there been anything presented to council that needs loads of ratepayers’ money thrown at it, that Mike Lord has voted against ? He stood for council on a ticket that us farmers were paying too high a contribution to rates for no benefit. Yet he has continually supported anything that needs more money, without it going through the test of being necessary. Maybe he is trying to buy his way back into council next election. Now that he has lost his cosy ward seat.