A major Dunedin planning document being developed to deal with everything from a rising population to global warming will be the subject of a week-long hearing starting today.
More than 100 people will appear before the Dunedin City Council to speak to their submissions on the draft spatial plan, after 214 were received.
They will cover issues from heritage to housing and the harbour, before a hearings committee of Mayor Dave Cull and eight councillors.
Some appear to have raised issues beyond the intended scope of the plan, but those would be listened to, Mr Cull said yesterday.
The number of submitters involved means their input will last until midday on Thursday, before deliberations begin on Friday.
The plan could bring about major changes to the face of the city, as planners look at ways to deal with what they expect to be an extra 7600 residential units needed by 2031.
It is expected to help deal with everything from an ageing population, rising oil prices, global warming and space for new medical and engineering business clusters.
The plan could have direct effects on householders in areas targeted for "medium density" housing, for instance, where the council wants to encourage intensification, and redevelopment or renovation of run-down housing stock in areas close to public transport and facilities.
That could include areas of Mornington, the city, South Dunedin, Northeast Valley and Mosgiel.
The plan's development follows the Your City Our Future consultation process, which received 4000 responses, and was intended to provide strategic directions for the city's growth and development for the next 30 years.
A report to the hearing from city development manager Anna Johnson said the initial closing date for submissions was extended due to the level of interest.
"Most submissions were supportive of the draft spatial plan, or parts of the draft spatial plan, and what it is seeking to achieve."
But some dealt with aspects such as rezoning. The report said those issues had to be dealt with separately, under the Resource Management Act.
Many submitters, including a group involved in the Your City Our Future consultation, raised concerns art and culture were not strongly identified in the plan. Staff suggested those concerns be redirected to the economic development strategy, as the spatial plan was not the relevant document.
Mr Cull said that did not mean those submitters were being "fobbed off"'.
The spatial plan was an "over-arching plan" that sat above the District Plan and other council strategies, and it was not surprising people had "come at it from different angles".
Those people's views were welcome, and notice would be taken.
