Council Signs Historic Memorandum of Understanding.

Franklin District Council has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pokeno Landowner’s Consortium (PLC) in an historic move which aims to ensure the best growth outcomes for all involved. This is the first MoU of its kind after Council put in place a policy framework outlining when Council should consider taking a collaborative approach to growth.

The MoU outlines how PLC and the Council will work towards developing a structure plan and notifying a Plan Change for Pokeno which have good social, economic, cultural and environmental outcomes for current and future residents.

“It is important to understand that it doesn’t take away any of the resource management process. Council is still one hundred per cent committed to a fair and consultative process,” says Franklin District Council’s District Planning Manager, David Pentz.

In Franklin District Council’s District Growth Strategy Pokeno is identified as a growth area. The MoU is an example of the Growth Strategy at work breathing life and direction into Council’s growth planning. Pokeno was identified as a growth area because of its strategic location and growth potential.

“If Council was to try to provide for all growth ourselves there would be a huge burden on the ratepayer for infrastructure. By cooperating with those who own land in areas we have identified for growth Council can have certainty about growth without the need to burden ratepayers while developers can also have more certainty,” says David.

The MoU is the first step towards notifying a Plan Change to the Franklin District Council Operative District Plan for the proposed development of Pokeno. If you would like more information on this process please contact Franklin District Council Policy Planner, Jon Kearins, 09 237 1338.