Planning

Southern Hills Study

During 2006 and 2007, Upper Hutt City Council prepared and consulted on the Upper Hutt Urban Growth Strategy. One of the projects stemming from the Strategy was a review of the Southern Hills of Upper Hutt. These are the hills that run from Pinehaven to Mt Marua, and separate the urban area of Upper Hutt from the Mangaroa and Whitemans Valleys.
 
Residents have consistently identified the importance of the hills as a natural backdrop to the city, and identify the importance of the hills as a visual feautre of the city generally.
 
Council appointed consultants Boffa Miskell Ltd to undertake the research.  Their report is available
below. The report makes a range of findings and recommendations. Of particular note is the
finding that the hills contain particularly high ecological values given their proximity to an urban
area.
 
Council is now considering how the findings of the report and recommendations are best given
effect to. Work has begun on a change to the District Plan to give effect to some of these
recommendations. 
 
Landowners within the Southern Hills area have been contacted about the report, surveyed as to
its findings, and consulted in terms of some of the options available to give effect to the study.
 
The results of that consultation are available below.  In addition, when a change to the District Plan
is prepared, all residents will be able to formally comment on any proposed changes.
  
For further information on this project, please contact Mitch Lewandowski, Project Coordinator -
Urban Growth Strategy on telephone (04) 527-2127 or email mitch.lewandowski@uhcc.govt.nz
 

Southern Hills Environmental Management Study Main Report  (5.19M) Appendix 1 - Relevant District Plan Provisions  (384K) Appendix 2 - Ecological Values and Constraints  (2.15M) Appendix 3 - Landscape and Visual Character Assessment  (5.27M) Southern Hills Landowner Consultation  Landowner Consultation Results  (695K)