It was a different sound of summer for all those who took the opportunity to respond to the release of the Urban Growth Plan Change 81 and Regional Policy Statement Change 1 information booklet.

In short, there is broad support for the proposed changes that will manage growth, provide more diverse housing options, support a thriving economy, and ensure Tasman remains a great place to live.

For anyone that has not yet got involved in PC81, there will be plenty of opportunities to do so in March and April with formal engagement online and at our series of meet-the-planner drop-in sessions across the District.

The Environmental Policy Team enjoyed taking on board the feedback provided by the community and responding to questions and ideas raised in a two-part podcast series now on PodBean or Apple Podcasts, search “Click to Play TDC Environmental Policy”.

This two-step process, release of the information booklet and the upcoming draft plan change, will ensure what is being proposed has the scope to provide sufficient residential and business land capacity for at least the next 10 years.

The plan change and regional policy statement change prioritise green spaces, improved transportation, and updated rules for Papakāinga, ensuring a sustainable and inclusive future for Tasman.

The team is looking forward to engaging with as many people as possible over the next couple of months to discuss the potential we can all share from the opportunities Tasman provides.