The second stage of the Central Otago District Plan review will see council engage with the rural community and industries about land use going forward.

Community information sessions were being held in Tarras, Cromwell, Bannockburn, Roxburgh, Alexandra and Ranfurly over the next week to discuss the issues facing rural communities.

The CODC said it was an important piece of work given the significance of production to the Central Otago economy.

Principal policy manager Ann Rodgers said the planning team intended to "cast the net wide" to talk to as many people and interest groups as possible for their views.

The review would include consideration of allotment size, worker accommodation, reverse sensitivity, landscape classification, indigenous biodiversity and ensuring productive capacity was protected.

Suze Keith from Sustainable Tarras, said the group was very interested in the review of the rural land chapters, “we see it as a great opportunity to have a collective and holistic discussion about the long term vision for the district.”

She said it was a rare chance for those that lived and worked in Tarras to be heard, “lately Christchurch Airport, Brisbane miners and remote ministers have had a lot to say about the future of Tarras.”

Sustainable Tarras was made up of just eight members, with support from people all over New Zealand, who met fortnightly to discuss their research and findings, and make Official Information Act requests for important information on relevant high profile projects.

The council would also look at provisions for rural residential and settlement zones, and opportunities to extend the protection of the night skies enabled by Plan Change 22 in consultation with rural communities.

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