The WBOPDC have approved this activity, because under the District Plan Rules it is a Permitted Activity – this is so because of standard minimum requirements throughout the country for telecommunication facilities in neighbourhoods as prescribed by the National Environment Standards, (part of the RMA); standards which have been delegated to Councils for implementation
via their District Plans.
The District Plan is surely deficient though, if such an activity can be approved, yet is clearly going to impact upon foreseeable activities; ie, is to be consistent with an Adopted Town Centre Plan; this situation has not been preserved. Both these points are clear in the District Plan documentation, points specifically introduced to prevent such a negative impact occurring – yet have been ignored or overlooked; at the least, not considered. The points are well described within Objectives and Policies and Restricted Discretionary Activities, but in this case, what use.
Surely the planner who has approved the 2 Degrees application is aware of the Adopted Town Centre Plan, or is this a case of the future plans for Katikati not being considered due to an unawareness or worse still, a lack of care?
Perhaps a lack of focus by the Council as caretaker of Katikati's Community well being best describes why this situation has been allowed and clearly illustrates that positive results will only come about, when Katikati takes control and ensures only positive outcomes for the town.
This installation is intended to provide social, economic, cultural and environmental benefits to the community – that may be the intention, but certainly not the result.
Future development of the Uretara Precinct will be seriously compromised and the Town Centre 'architects” ought to be concerned enough to do something about it, but looking to the future a Katikati Area Office, an administration working closely and in unison with all Community Groups is the way forward that will bring quality growth to Katikati.
Whilst the Council need to rectify this blunder; for which there must surely be a means of intervention to correct this failure of the RMA/Council process; the solution for a positive future that ensures quality growth for Katikati, is to create change.

Keith Brown, Katikati.