A hearing date has been set for Woolworth NZ’s resource consent application with South Wairarapa District Council [SWDC] to build an additional accessway to Greytown’s FreshChoice supermarket.
The proposed accessway has caused a rift with local residents, who have raised concerns regarding the traffic management, safety, and visual amenity of the completed project.
Day one of the hearing is scheduled for Monday, October 2 at the WBS Room at 89 Main St in Greytown, while day two will be held on October 3 at Featherston’s Kiwi Hall at 62 Bell St.
Out of the 81 submissions SWDC received about the resource consent, council planning manager Kendyll Hammond said 47 submitters indicated they may like to be heard at the hearing.
“A hearing coordinator from the council will be in touch with all parties who wish to present at the hearing to ascertain times for the presentation,” Hammond said.
“This is in order that scheduling can occur, and so that the most efficient use is made of everyone’s time.”
The processing clock for the application is still paused, as per Woolworth NZ’s request while it seeks further consultation.
The independent commissioner appointed to conduct the hearing is Lindsay Daysh, who said in a letter to submitters that he will be completing a site visit prior to the hearing.
“I will do so unaccompanied by any other parties,” Daysh said.
“I may undertake a further site visit during or after the hearing.”
A copy of the SWDC planning officer’s recommendation report and any expert evidence prepared by council officers or advisors will be provided to Woolworths NZ and submitters by September 8.
Any submitters who are planning to call expert evidence must provide briefs of this evidence to the council and Woolworths NZ by September 22.
An SWDC spokesperson said any updates to the consenting process will be put on the council’s website once submitters have been advised.
