The District Plan is the rulebook for how land can be used. It applies to every property in the city, and provides the blueprint for how Porirua will grow. It also sets out how we will look after the things in our city that we value. We therefore encourage you to take this opportunity to help shape Porirua’s future.
The Proposed District Plan (PDP) was notified on 28 August 2020 (use Google Chrome for best results)
The Government has directed all councils to change their district plans to enable 3-storey (medium density) houses in all residential areas, and to identify parts of the city where even taller (high density) buildings can be built. We’ve done this by notifying Variation 1 to the Proposed District Plan and Plan Change 19 to the Operative District Plan on 11 August 2022.
You can view these here:
The final Hearing Stream 7 was held between Monday 13 March and Wednesday 22 March 2023.
The Independent Hearings Panel is now considering all submissions and evidence as part of their deliberations. Their report is expected in the latter half of 2023.
More information, including copies and summaries of all submissions, is available on our Hearings Portal.
Decisions on the Proposed District Plan and the recommendations on the Intensification Planning Instrument (this includes Variation 1 to the PDP and Plan Change 19 to the Operative District Plan) will now be notified to the public in December.
Following a request from the Council, the Minister for the Environment has granted an extension of time (until 14 December 2023) to issue a decision on the Proposed Porirua District Plan, Variation 1 to the PDP and Plan Change 19 to the Operative District Plan.
Variation 1 and Plan Change 19 (together) are the Council’s Intensification Planning Instrument.
The reasons for the request for an extension included:
The Minister for the Environment has granted the extension of time here.
For detailed information about what this means for different parts of our Proposed District Plan see below
To stay informed, check this webpage for updates.
For questions about the process please email FriendofSubmittersPDP@poriruacity.govt.nz or phone 021 0443 5559.
There are two separate processes for the Proposed District Plan to become operative.
The Hearing Panel is considering the Proposed District Plan, and the Intensification Planning Instrument at the same time.
The key difference between the two processes is that the Intensification Streamlined Planning Process does not allow appeals of decisions.
As a result, the timeframes for the provisions to become operative between the two processes are different.
Intensification Planning Instrument
Dependent upon Council’s decisions, the urban zoned areas – that is, those areas covered in the Intensification Planning Instrument - are likely to be the earliest parts of the Proposed District Plan to become operative.
This is because the Intensification Plannkating Instrument cannot be appealed once decisions are made.
Broadly the steps remaining before the Intensification Planning Instrument provisions become operative are as follows:
The Intensification Planning Instrument provisions that implement the medium density residential standards were already required to be treated as operative from the date of notification of the Intensification Planning Instrument.
Proposed District Plan
The balance of the Proposed District Plan (that is, those parts not included in the Intensification Planning Instrument) includes rural zones, and district wide provisions. These provisions will be subject to the usual appeal rights detailed in the Resource Management Act 1991.
The timeframes for those provisions will depend on whether an appeal on the provision is received, and the timing of the resolution of any appeal points.
The relevance of the Proposed District Plan provisions for activities will depend on whether or not the relevant plan provisions are subject to an appeal.
This is a complicated area of law, and specifics of each case will determine which rules apply.
If you have any questions about specific provisions, please get in contact with the Council’s Resource Consents Team.
For questions about the process please email FriendofSubmittersPDP@poriruacity.govt.nz or phone 021 0443 5559.
Council lodged an application with the Minister for the Environment for an extension of time (until 20 August 2023) to issue a decision on the Proposed Porirua District Plan.
The reasons for this requested extension include:
The Minister for the Environment wrote to Council granting this extension. The extension was publicly notified on 20 October 2022 (see official public notice).
The Medium Density Residential Standards in Part 2 of Schedule 3A to the RMA have immediate legal effect in the Medium Density Residential Zone and High Density Residential Zone. The exception to this is on sites that are subject to a qualifying matter, or are located in a new residential zone.
To assist plan users, Council has prepared the following guidance which applies from 11 August 2022 until decisions are notified in 2023: Transitional Guidance on the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS)
The Proposed District Plan is a complex document and we would welcome the opportunity to help you understand it. If you would like to talk to a member of our friendly planning team please email or call us on: dpreview@pcc.govt.nz or call 04 237 5089.
