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: Mayor committed to conservation at Ocean Beach 
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule has met with Conservation Minister Chris Carter to discuss land protection options at Ocean Beach.
Mr Yule, who met with the Minister in Wellington late last month, said today he was committed to ensuring the 7km of coastline outlined for 'no development' in the draft master charrette plan remained that way.
"The protection of the northern part of the beach is of critical importance to the community, and we need to do everything we can to ensure the wilderness value is protected," he said.
Mr Yule said various options were discussed at the meeting with Mr Carter. A favoured option, he said, was the possibility of local MPs sponsoring a Local Bill through parliament, which would ban housing and development forever.
“The net effect of that sort of bill would be that any changes away from it would have to pass through 120 MPs. That’s about as good a safeguard as it’s possible to get,” Mr Yule said.
He said he had raised the idea with landowners already.
“All the landowners involved have shown a real willingness to protect the northern part of the beach, but it’s a matter of finding the best method of protection.”
“Obviously anything that is done will require the consent and input of the landowners and the complete support of our regional MPs, but at this stage I believe a Local Bill is perfectly possible."
The other 2km of coastline at the southern end has been proposed by the charrette design team for development.
Council will meet next Tuesday to see the charrette design team's final plan. It will also be presented with other options. The meeting is open to the public.
The charrette plan as well as the others will be displayed at the Shaping Our District Together Expo on 21/22 April at the Hastings Sports Centre.
For more information:
Please contact Lawrence Yule on 878 0500 or 0272 496 206
