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New Zealand Transport Agency will be conducting urgent maintenance through the Bryderwyn pass on State Highway 1 during the month of November at night. For further information please click the following links to copies of the NZTA's detour route and media statement.

Roads and Stormwater

Roading and Stormwater Works

Wastewater

• Whatuwhiwhi - Wastewater Treatment Plan Upgrade including modifications to existing wastewater treatment plant to meet new resource consent standards. Now Completed

Environmental Management 

November welcomes the first edition of the The Builder's Mix newsletter. Bi-monthly the Building Team will generate a newsletter that will address areas of interest change for industry and Council.

Fees Increases 

• Building Act Fee Increase
  On the 29th October Council upon voting resolved that the report "Building Act and Resource Management Act Fees and Charges" be received.
  
  As a result of the Council vote to accept the report, and recommendations, there is a 10% fees increase for Fees and Charges related to activities conducted within the Building Act area, these being effective 16 November 2009. 
  
• Resource Management Act Special Consultative Procedure
  Further to the Council decision on Fees and Charges, on the 11th November submissions open on the proposed 10% increase for the Resource Management Act fees. This submission period closes on the 16 December with hearings to be held in early 2010.

In addition Council resolved that the fees and charges shall remain the same once adopted until Council determines a further review is warranted. It was also resolved that a working party was to be established to produce recommendations for streamlining processes and improving customer service, following the investigation by this working party any fees highlighted as not being required shall be recommended for removal from the Fees and Charges schedule.

The new and proposed Fees and Charges schedule is available for viewing and comment by using www.fndc.govt.nz/communication/consultation/resource-management-act-rma-fees-review , www.fndc.govt.nz/services/fees-and-charges-index/building-act--2004 or from any Service Centre, Library or i-SITE on request. 

"Pop-Up/Gulley Trap” type inspection points

From 1^st October 2009, Pop-up type relief overflows will no longer be accepted by Far North District Council as they are inspection points only. The reason for this requirement is that these pop-up type fixtures are not approved as an overflow relief nor are they recognised by the relative Building Code Clause G13 or AS/NZ Standard 3500 as such.

This will mean that the system will require a design to provide at least one discharge pipe to be directed into a gulley trap as per G13 of the Building Code to avoid water seal evaporation or an alternative means of charging the gulley trap will be required as per AS/NZS 3500.

Practioners public meetings

• Wednesday, 18th November from 3pm-5pm: The Far North District Council will host the Southern Practitioners public meeting at the Red Cross Centre, Butler Road, Kerikeri. This meeting will be of interest to resource planners, builders, surveyors and engineers. Please contact Nicole Wooster, 09 407 0402 or nicole.wooster@fndc.govt.nz to confirm your attendance. Please note the agenda for this meeting is set by the Practitioners Group, therefore if you have any agenda items you wished raised please submit these also to Nicole Wooster.
• Thursday, 19th November from 9am-11 am: The Far North District Council will host the Northern Practitioners public meeting at the Kaitaia Service Centre. This meeting will be of interest to resource planners, builders, surveyors and engineers. Please contact Nicole Wooster, 09 407 0402 or nicole.wooster@fndc.govt.nz to confirm your attendance. Please note the agenda for this meeting is set by the Practitioners Group, therefore if you have any agenda items you wished raised please submit these also to Nicole Wooster.

District Plan

At the Far North District Council meeting on the 30^th July 2009, Council resolved to publicly notify Plan Change 1 - Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. The plan change will introduce a new chapter to the district plan which will provide policy direction and regulation on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.

All information relating to Plan Change 1 - Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency can be viewed on the Environmental Policy and Forward Planning - Plan Changes page.

District Facilities

Works currently taking place (weather permitting)

• AGM of South Hokianga War Memorial Hall, Opononi will be held on 11 November 2009 at 7.30pm.
• New Town Maintenance contractor (Recreational Services Ltd) from 1 November 2009.
• Hihi Beach – ramp to be removed and access to beach upgraded – Community project.
• Kaeo and Mangonui Civil Defence response plans have been completed
• Centennial Park pond, Kaitaia will be grassed.
• Works in progress
  - Kaitaia Mainstreet improvements
  - Pukenui Sports Ground
  - Rarawa Domain

Strategic Development & Governance

• Council recently adopted a final proposal for representation arrangements for the 2010 election. A period for appeals and objections is now underway and will conclude on Friday, 16 October 2009. For information on the proposal and background information on the review, please read the Representation Review 2009 page.

South Hokianga Community Plan meeting

Public meeting to invite members of the Opononi, Omapere and Pakanae community to  engage with Council in the production of a Community Plan.
When: 7pm. Wednesday 25^th November
Where: South Hokianga Memorial Hall, Opononi

Kaeo / Whangaroa Community Development Plan Working Party Meeting

When: Thursday 26^th Nov. 5.30pm
Where: TROW Building Kaeo

Taipa Community Development Plan Working Party Meeting

When: Tuesday 1^st Dec 7pm
Where: Wharenui Taipa Area School

Maori Representation Hui

Far North Maori have further opportunity to express their views about how they can become more involved in local government decision-making. 

The Far North District Council’s intention to investigate non-electoral options for more involvement and engagement of Maori includes staff going out and talking with Maori. 

The next round of hui starts at 9.30am at the following venues during the next few months:

• Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngapuhi, Kaikohe Friday 09 October
• Mahi Maru marae, Awanui, Tuesday 20 October
• Whitiora marae, Te Tii , Wednesday 04 November
• Motatau marae, Motatau (to be confirmed)
• Waipuna marae, Panguru, Friday 27 November
• Rawhiti marae, Rawhiti , Thursday 03 December
• Waiora marae, Ngataki, Thursday 10 December
  

For further information, please contact Strategic Plan Coordinator Jacynthia Murphy on 0800-920-029