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Mangawhai Matters (MM) members gathered this week for their Annual Meeting, where chair Doug Lloyd reflected on a busy year, highlighting successes with Plan Change 83 (The Rise) and Plan Change 84 (The Hills).
He said thanks to MM’s efforts, stormwater and sedimentation controls were incorporated into both plans, ratified by the Environment Court, and now included in the Draft District Plan.
While broadly supportive of the Draft Plan, MM has pushed for stronger stormwater and sediment provisions. However, uncertainty remains after the Government required councils to pause their District Plans pending reforms to the Resource Management Act.
One of the year’s biggest achievements was convincing Kaipara District Council to lift Development Contributions from $23,000 to $67,000 for the Mangawhai/Kaiwaka ward, ensuring infrastructure costs for wastewater and roads are more fairly covered.
Treasurer Peter Nicholas reported 215 paid members, with finances under pressure after $70,000 was spent opposing inappropriate subdivisions in the Environment Court.
More legal costs are expected, particularly with opposition to Private Plan Change 85 (Black Swamp Rd), which MM argues is inconsistent with the District Plan.
Other updates included progress on the Sustainable Mangawhai Project, which assesses risks to the harbour, spit and environment, and support for Capital Value Rating, a fairer rates system already used by most councils nationwide.
The meeting was preceded by a Special General Meeting to approve a new Constitution in line with the Incorporated Societies Act 2023. The new document was adopted unanimously.
Officers elected were: Chair, Doug Lloyd, secretary Vern Dark, treasurer Peter Nicholas, and committee members Colin Leach, Ian Margan, Joel Cayford and Philip McDermott.
