New Chairman appointed for Plan Changes hearings

Taupō District Council has appointed a new Chairman, Hamilton Barrister, Doug Arcus, for the hearings of Plan Changes 28-33 to the Taupō District Plan, following the resignation of previously appointed Chairman John Maassen.

Doug Arcus is a Resource Management Act (RMA) specialist Barrister based in Hamilton who has extensive experience in resource management law. He replaces John Maassen who has resigned his role as Chairman for the Plan Changes hearings due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict at the Environment Court.

Council Policy Manager, Helen Gilbert, says it was important to keep to the scheduled dates. “We wanted to make sure that all the submitters and expert witnesses who had made arrangements to attend would not have to revise their plans. Luckily, Mr Arcus has been able to re-arrange his schedule to fit these hearings in. We are very pleased to get someone of Mr Arucs’ calibre and relevant experience for these hearings, especially at such short notice.”

Ms Gilbert says Council was disappointed that Mr Maassen was unable to continue in the role. “He has extensive and relevant experience as a commissioner so it was unfortunate there was no way around the scheduling conflict.”

The other two Commissioners for the hearings, Ian McAlley and Kathleen Ryan, will continue in their roles.

The hearings will consider Council’s proposals to re-zone land for future industrial development, introduce rules to reinforce the role of the Taupō town centre as the primary commercial centre and relax some existing provisions to make it easier to develop in the town centre. Hearings commence Monday 21 May at the Suncourt Hotel and Conference Centre and are scheduled to run for eight days.