via Tom Henry AUCKLAND COUNCIL ROW OVER CULTURAL SITES Documents released to #3News have revealed accusations of subterfuge by Auckland Council over a controversial part of its #UnitaryPlan. Whats more surprising, the attack comes from within, from councillors who say radical and far-reaching provisions have been sneaked through by officials with little discussion. But the council strongly denies the accusations. Aucklands unitary plan has earmarked 3600 sites as possibly having cultural significance. Some of them were basically middens, a few shells where somebody had a feed of pipis maybe 200 years ago, and all of a sudden it becomes an archaeological site of value, says #Auckland Councillor #DickQuax. House owners nearby who want resource consent might now have to pay iwi for a cultural impact assessment. Its part of a precautionary process to make sure we dont destroy sites without knowing what their cultural values are, says #AucklandCouncil chief planning officer Roger Blakeley. In one case, property magnate Sir #BobJones wanted to install a large window in a commercial property near one of the sites and was told to contact 13 iwi for approval. However, most people have avoided this so far; of 6000 resource consents processed over the past six months, only 12 have had to go through a Cultural Impact Assessment. No one is arguing that areas of cultural significance should go unprotected – far from it. But they want firm evidence to support any site that is included and they simply dont believe all 3600 sites are justified. An independent hearing panel will review the process and peoples concerns, but that could take a couple of years. Letters passed to 3 News show some councillors feel duped, saying its a mystery how this politically sensitive matter was endorsed with seemingly little discussion. Councillor #MikeLee was also unhappy with the size of the buffer zone around each site and claimed the details were slipped in by subterfuge. He told 3 News he stood by his comments. I believe theres a political agenda involved, says #LeeScott from #DemocracyAction. I dont think its open government, and if this is the decision-making process in Auckland City then it is dysfunctional. Thats not right, says Mr Blakeley. It was a decision by council made in Aug 2013. It was not slipped through by subterfuge. The two sides cant agree and this remains an Auckland issue for now. But the local government commission is considering recommending similar rules throughout the country. video at 3news.co.nz/nznews/auckland-council-row-over-cultural-sites-2014110816
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 00:41:57 +0000
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