Waitakere heritage bill heads to Parliament

Waitakere City Council has voted for the Waitakere Ranges and Foothills Heritage Area Bill to go to Parliament.

The bill already has the support of the Auckland Regional Council.

Mayor Bob Harvey said the legislation did not take away existing property rights but gave another layer of protection above that provided in the District Plan and the Resource Management Act (RMA).

He said the bill could be a template for communities around the country.

"You just have to look at places like Queenstown, Wanaka and Taupo to see the council regulations and even the RMA often are not enough to stop rampant development from destroying unique environments," said Mr Harvey.

The vote on the bill was not passed without dissent.

Councillor Vanessa Nesson tried to have the bill apply only to the regional parkland and water supply catchments of the ranges, and any landowners who wished to covenant their land.

But Mr Harvey said many he and many others believed the only effective way to ensure the ranges was kept a green legacy for future generations was legislation.

Waitakere MP Lynne Pillay will guide the bill through the parliamentary process during which people can express their views.