This petition calls for Mayor Andy Foster and the Wellington City Council to work with constituents to protect the environment instead of adding our backyards to the areas of reserve that are defined in the district plan. 

Problem

Residents throughout the Wellington region have been informed by a pamphlet drop of the Our City Tomorrow Planning for Growth – Backyard Tāonga project. This proposes adding significant areas of private property to the city’s district plan as Significant Natural Areas (SNAs).

An SNA designation means backyards throughout the city may end up with the same designation in the district plan as significant natural areas such as regional parks. According to the planning for growth website more than 160 land areas around Wellington meet the SNA criteria. Around half of these are on council land and the rest are privately owned in suburbs and rural areas.

These areas include Ngaio, Johnsonville, Khandallah, Brooklyn, Churton Park, Ohariu Valley, Makara and Karori. 

In a number of cases the proposed SNA areas are regenerated scrub and pest weeds such as broom, gorse and Old Man’s Beard.

Poor communication

The information about the affected areas was not conveyed in a clear way and  to residents had to undertake significant further investigation to understand the impacts on their own property. We suspect there are many more out there unaware of potential restrictions on their land.

As concerned residents we have approached the WCC for clarification about what the proposed changes would mean in terms of any future plans  – for example building, landscaping or pet ownership restrictions. We have received no meaningful response to reassure us that we can be protected in any way from the decisions of future councils.

Work with us, not against us

We as Wellington residents understand the importance of our natural flora and fauna and we want to work with the council to protect it. We want to be trusted to protect the land that we own, not live in the shadow of council control.

Placing regulations on landowners property rights penalises rate-payers and is the wrong policy tool. We ask that the council look at alternative processes by working collaboratively with ratepayers.

We are opposed to the current process and request an immediate discontinuation of this proposed amendment to the district plan. We feel the mayor and councilors have failed to fulfill their obligation to ensure council acts in an informed, considered, reasonable and respectful manner.

Solution

Mayor Andy Foster and councilors, talk with the effected landowners.

Listen to our concerns.

Consider all options.

We request more effective and collaborative policy tools.

Trust and respect us as custodians of our land