Here’s what we did with your feedback

Below are some of the projects we have recently consulted on and their outcomes.

We asked

Since 2020 central government reset the rules for how big cities can grow. They did this by introducing the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD) and the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021.

These new rules direct big cities like Hamilton to increase the number of multi-storey homes across our city. They don’t give Council much ability to control things like how they will look, how much backyard they have, the impact on our city’s roads and pipes, and how they affect neighbouring properties.

In response to this, we proposed Plan Change 12. This will change Hamilton’s District Plan to provide more housing, and different types of housing, within the city. However, it doesn’t go as far as the Government wants us to.

Our research shows housing intensification will impact our environment, particularly the Waikato River. So, what we proposed will provide housing in a way that protects the health and wellbeing of the river as we grow. This means housing development will be restricted in some areas based on the infrastructure we need to support more homes, and more requirements will be put in place to support our environment.

Submissions to Plan Change 12 were open from 19 August to 30 September 2022.

Further submissions to Plan Change 12 were open from 28 November to 12 December 2022.

You said

We received 350 submissions and 36 further submissions to Plan Change 12 on a range of topics. There is now a formal process to follow under the Resource Management Act 1991.

Hearings to Plan Change 12 opened in February 2023, joint with similar plan changes in Waikato and Waipaa districts. This is when anyone who chose to speak to their submission in person can present their evidence to commissioners.

The rest of the hearings will be held from 4 September to 22 September 2023.

We did

A panel of commissioners will consider all the submissions and make recommendations to Council on the final plan change in early 2024.

Keep up-to-date on the plan change here.

We asked

The Hamilton Urban Growth Strategy guides where, when and how Hamilton Kirikiriroa will grow over the next 50 years. The previous strategy was more than 10 years old and since then a lot had changed.

The draft strategy proposed three outcomes to respond to those changes and achieve our vision that Hamilton Kirikiriroa is the best place to live and work with connected, vibrant and prosperous communities.

  • Grow up and out from the central city
  • Grow along transport corridors
  • Support the development of quality greenfield neighbourhoods.

Public consultation on the draft strategy took place from 18 October to 20 November 2022.

You said

We received 91 responses, 60 from individuals (66% of submissions) and 31 from organisations, groups, or businesses (34% of submissions).

A majority of the 31 organisations and groups were supportive of the strategy though would like amendments to be made. The most common themes were:

  • Give consideration to the environment as Hamilton grows (e.g., consider the impact on the river, on climate change, and biodiversity).
  • Support growth up and out from the central city.
  • Support encouraging active modes of transportation, and the use of public transport, (to allow for less reliance on cars) in the design of how Hamilton grows.
  • Support growth along transport corridors.

Of the 60 responses received from individuals, most people supported the outcomes proposed by the draft strategy. The most common themes were:

  • Concern regarding lifestyle factors.
  • Support growth up and out from the central city.
  • Support encouraging active modes of transportation, and the use of public transport, (to allow for less reliance on cars) in the design of how Hamilton grows.

We did

We made some changes to the draft Hamilton Urban Growth Strategy based on feedback from submissions. This included adding a new key consideration ‘People at the heart’ and making some changes to Outcome 1: Grow up and out from the central city.

The final strategy was adopted at the Strategic Growth and District Plan Committee on 20 April 2023. You can read it here (PDF, KB or head to our strategies page here.

The strategy will inform the 2024-34 Long Term Plan alongside other key Council strategies such as Access Hamilton, Our Climate Future and Nature in the City.

We asked

Council plays a critical role in identifying and protecting Hamilton's heritage and natural environment, in all its forms.

Through Plan Change 9 we’re proposing changes to our District Plan, and the rules in it, that’ll enable growth in Hamilton while protecting our unique historic heritage and natural environments, namely:

  • Archaeological and cultural sites.
  • Built heritage.
  • Historic Heritage Areas (HHA).
  • Notable trees.
  • Significant Natural Areas (SNA).

The proposed changes outline how these heritage and natural elements are identified, set out how they’re protected and guide how development can happen in or around them.

Submissions to Plan Change 9 were open from 22 July to 2 September 2022.

Further submissions to Plan Change 9 were open from 28 October to 18 November 2022.

You said

We received 468 submissions and 345 further submissions to Plan Change 9 on a range of topics. There is now a formal process to follow under the Resource Management Act 1991.

Hearings to Plan Change 9 will open in May 2023 and go through to November 2023.  This is when anyone who chose to speak to their submission in person can present their evidence to commissioners.

We did

A panel of commissioners will consider all the submissions and make recommendations to Council on the final plan change in mid-2024.

Keep up-to-date on the plan change here.

We asked

Since 2020 central government reset the rules for how big cities can grow. They did this by introducing the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD) and the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021.

These new rules direct big cities like Hamilton to increase the number of multi-storey homes across our city. They don’t give Council much ability to control things like how they will look, how much backyard they have, the impact on our city’s roads and pipes, and how they affect neighbouring properties.

In response to this, we proposed Plan Change 12. This will change Hamilton’s District Plan to provide more housing, and different types of housing, within the city. However, it doesn’t go as far as the Government wants us to.

Our research shows housing intensification will impact our environment, particularly the Waikato River. So, what we proposed will provide housing in a way that protects the health and wellbeing of the river as we grow. This means housing development will be restricted in some areas based on the infrastructure we need to support more homes, and more requirements will be put in place to support our environment.

Submissions to Plan Change 12 were open from 19 August to 30 September 2022.

You said

We received 350 submissions to Plan Change 12 on a range of topics. There is now a formal process to follow under the Resource Management Act 1991.

Further submissions to Plan Change 12 were open from 28 November to 12 December 2022. At this point people could either support or oppose any of the submissions received.

Hearings to Plan Change 12 opened in February 2023, joint with similar plan changes in Waikato and Waipaa districts. This is when anyone who chose to speak to their submission in person can present their evidence to commissioners.

The rest of the hearings will be held from 4 September to 22 September 2023.

We did

A panel of commissioners will consider all the submissions and make recommendations to Council on the final plan change in early 2024.

Keep up-to-date on the plan change here.

We asked

In August 2022, we asked the Chartwell community for their feedback around an upgrade of the playground at Chartwell Park. We wanted to know what sorts of play equipment they wanted to see at their playground, with a like-for-like renewal planned. This means that the playground will be staying roughly the same size and having the same number of play features.

You said

Through the engagement, some key themes and insights emerged.

Our community’s feedback focused on:

  • Ensuring a range of play features that worked for multiple age groups.
  • Inclusion of toilets at the playground
  • Adding more shade.

We did

We are working on designs for Chartwell Park playground, incorporating our community’s feedback. Construction is scheduled for January 2024. There is a toilet in Chartwell Park which is being renewed in 2023.

We asked

In August 2022, we asked the Nawton community for their feedback around an upgrade of the playground at Nawton Domain. We wanted to know what sorts of play equipment they wanted to see at their playground, with a like-for-like renewal planned. This means that the playground will be staying roughly the same size and having the same number of play features.

You said

Through the engagement, some key themes and insights emerged.

Our community’s feedback focused on:

  • Ensuring a range of play features that worked for multiple age groups.
  • Anti-social behaviour
  • Lack of security
  • Limited options

We did

We are working on designs for Nawton Domain playground, incorporating our community’s feedback. Construction is scheduled for March 2024. Nearby Elliot Park features a skate park and a half-court. Destination Playground at Dominion Park is a 20-minute walk away and is a large playground with giant slides, multiple swings, and a tower.

We asked

In August 2022, we asked the Hamilton Lake community for their feedback around an upgrade of the playground at Tawa Park. We wanted to know what sorts of play equipment they wanted to see at their playground, with a like-for-like renewal planned. This means that the playground will be staying roughly the same size and having the same number of play features.

You said

Through the engagement, some key themes and insights emerged.

Our community’s feedback focused on:

  • Adding more seating
  • Have the playground have bright and colourful areas
  • Incorporate more rubbish bins

We did

We are working on designs for Tawa Park playground, incorporating our community’s feedback. Construction is scheduled for April 2024.

We asked

In August 2022, we asked the Chartwell community for their feedback around an upgrade of the playground at Raymond Park. We wanted to know what sorts of play equipment they wanted to see at their playground, with a like-for-like renewal planned. This means that the playground will be staying roughly the same size and having the same number of play features.

You said

Through the engagement, some key themes and insights emerged.

Our community’s feedback focused on:

  • Adding more seating
  • Making the playground larger
  • Enforce the rules more e.g. no dogs off-leash.

We did

We are working on designs for Raymond Park playground, incorporating our community’s feedback. Construction is scheduled for May 2024.

We asked

​Council plays a critical role in identifying and protecting Hamilton's heritage and natural environment, in all its forms.

Through Plan Change 9 we’re proposing changes to our District Plan, and the rules in it, that’ll enable growth in Hamilton while protecting our unique historic heritage and natural environments, namely:

  • Archaeological and cultural sites.
  • Built heritage.
  • Historic Heritage Areas (HHA).
  • Notable trees.
  • Significant Natural Areas (SNA).

The proposed changes outline how these heritage and natural elements are identified, set out how they’re protected and guide how development can happen in or around them.

Submissions to Plan Change 9 were open from 22 July to 2 September 2022.

You said

We received 468 submissions to Plan Change 9 on a range of topics. There is now a formal process to follow under the Resource Management Act 1991.

Further submissions to Plan Change 9 were open from 28 October to 18 November 2022. At this point people could either support or oppose any of the submissions received.

Hearings to Plan Change 9 will open in May 2023 and go through to November 2023.  This is when anyone who chose to speak to their submission in person can present their evidence to commissioners.

We did

A panel of commissioners will consider all the submissions and make recommendations to Council on the final plan change in mid-2024.

Keep up-to-date on the plan change here.

We asked

In May 2022, we conducted the annual survey that captures the community’s perception of safety in the central city and helps ensure the actions and activities occurring as part of our Central City Safety Strategy are still working or what areas need to be focused on.

You said

Over four weeks, we received 648 submissions. Some of the themes as to why people feel safe in our central city included crowds, security officers including the City Safe team and good lighting in certain parts of the central city. Some of the themes as to why people feel unsafe in our central city included aggressive and antisocial behaviour, the presence of homeless people, hearing about crimes and seeing reduced police presence.

We did

The results were reported to the Community Committee meeting in August 2022 for their review and will be used to inform Council on priorities and activities to focus on improving safety in the central city for the next financial year.

We asked

In June 2022, we asked the community if a safer speed area should be implemented in all residential streets within the Mahoe Street area (Melville). This would mean a speed limit change from 50kph to 40kph. The proposed change aligns with our Hamilton Speed Management Plan, which is about achieving safe and appropriate speeds to allow residential neighbourhoods to have a safe environment to live and play. Minor works were also proposed at key locations within this area to support the lower speed limit. The engagement was targeted to those who live in this area of Hamilton.

You said

We received 34 submissions and the majority of these responses supported the safer speed area proposal and the overall objective of making their neighbourhood safer for all road users to get around.

We did

The safer speed area, and change in speed limit to 40kph, for the Mahoe Street area in Melville was approved via council resolution and implemented from October 2022.

We asked

The Annual Plan is the budget and work programme for Year 2 of Council’s 2021-2031 Long-Term Plan. It looks at how we’ll deliver and fund projects and services in the upcoming financial year.

We told the community what we would do in 2022-23 and we’re sticking to that. However, we didn’t foresee the major challenge of increasing costs driven mainly by the high rate of inflation New Zealand is experiencing when planning our 2022-23 budget and work programme during the Long-Term Plan. 

We asked the community to share their voice on proposed changes to increase Council’s borrowing to cover these cost pressures, rather than increase rates or cut projects. We also asked what they thought about new projects proposed in response to important issues identified by the community. 

You said

Of the 263 responses:

  • 121 (46%) respondents were in support of increasing budgets and covering this by borrowing. Of these, 27 (22%) respondents made specific comments that they supported using debt, and 5 (4%) respondents commented that they were against rates increases.
  • 100 (38%) respondents chosen the option of decreasing spending on projects planned for in the Annual Plan to cover increased costs. Of these, 45 (45%) supported reducing spend but did not identify specific projects. 
  • 23 (9%) respondents chose the option of increasing the budgets and cover this by increasing rates above the 4.9%. 16 (70%) of these made comments – of which 6 (38%) specifically commented on their support for increasing rates to cover the increased costs.

We did

Public opinion factored strongly into decisions made about Hamilton City Council’s draft Annual Plan. 

Rates will not go over the average increase of 4.9% as outlined in the Long-Term Plan. We’ll borrow to cover unforeseen costs and cover projects. 

Several projects and operational activities will be introduced. Funding has been allocated for the creation of school travel plans, a new grant fund is being made available for community application to implement projects from our Welcoming Plan, improved maintenance of the Hamilton Cemetery Burial Lawn and a raft of cycling initiatives. 

Read the Our Hamilton media story Council responses to public feedback on Annual Plan for more information.

The 2022-23 Annual Plan will be adopted by Council on 30 June. It will be available on our website after this date. 

We asked

In May 2022, we asked the communities around Bremworth Park, Galloway Park, Pygmalion Park and Waiwherowhero Park for their feedback around an upgrade of the playground at within their respective parks. We wanted to know what sorts of play equipment they wanted to see at their playground, with a like-for-like renewal planned. This means that the playground will be staying roughly the same size and having the same number of play features.

You said

Through the engagement, some key themes and insights emerged. Across all four parks, feedback focused on creating a playground that included features for all ages, wanted more picnic areas, seating and shade, and that they wanted multi-purpose equipment.

We did

The playgrounds have been designed, incorporating the community’s feedback. Construction on the playgrounds at Waiwherowhero Park and Pygmalion Park were completed in February 2022. Construction at Bremworth Park is currently underway and is expected to finish at the end of May 2023. Galloway Park playground upgrade will begin in July 2023.

We asked

In April 2022 we asked members of our disability community for feedback on our Disability Policy. Council is committed to improving the wellbeing of all Hamiltonians and to ensure disabled people have equity of access enabling them to participate fully in and contribute to community and civic life in the city.  We asked people how they would rate their accessibility for community spaces like libraries, pools, visitor destinations, roads and crossings, bus services, communication to and from council.

You said

We received 79 responses to our survey. Majority of respondents thought our community facilities and visitor destinations, roads and footpaths were easily accessible.

We did

The feedback was gathered and considered in the policy review. It also fed into the development of a wider Community Action Plan to support the ideas of the community. The action plan and policy help to guide the disability advisor’s work and other parts of the organisation over the next three years.

We asked

As part of the 2022-23 Annual Plan process, the Development Contributions Policy was reviewed. We asked Hamiltonians, our development community and key stakeholders for feedback on the three proposed changes to the policy:

  1. Amending the definition of gross floor area (GFA) such that DCs will be charged for the area under building canopies with the exception of eaves or overhangs of up to one metre in depth.
  2. For the stormwater component of a charge, charging 1 Household Unit Equivalent (HUE) of development contributions rather than 1.29 HUE, for dwellings of more than one level that have four or more bedrooms.
  3. Introducing a partial remission for developments undertaken by state-integrated schools that provide public access and community benefit.

You said

During our community consultation period, key stakeholders – including developer groups, all schools (and school group representatives) – and the wider community had an opportunity to provide feedback on the three specific changes to the proposed Policy.

Hearings took place on 5 May 2022, where seven submitters took the opportunity to speak about their submissions.

A total of 25 submission were received and feedback for the key changes can be summarised as:

  • Just under half (44%) of submissions agreed with amending the GFA definition and supported that more clarity in the definition is needed.  16% did not answer the question, while some made specific comments.
  • Over half of the submissions (56%) strongly agreed to reduce the stormwater charge for residential dwellings with more than one level and four or more bedrooms, saying that it was a fair and reasonable approach that will incentivise and increase levels of housing. 
  • Over half of the submissions (56%) supported the proposal to introduce a partial remission for state integrated schools that provide public access and community benefit.

We did

Following consultation, staff recommended an amendment was made to Change 3 that reduced the required number of hours that a facility is available to the public from 40 hours to 30 hours per week. This amendment was approved by Council at its 3 June 2022 meeting.

All proposed changes to the Development Contributions (DC) Policy were approved by Council on 30 June 2022. The updated policy reflects the feedback received from the 2021 judicial review and includes a provision to introduce a partial remission (reduction) of DCs for state-integrated schools that make their facilities available to the public for 30 hours per week.

The policy is operative from 1 July 2022.

We asked

We proposed minor changes to the Hamilton Speed Management Plan to ensure its alignment with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency under their new speed management guidance and to prepare it for the certification process. We sought feedback on the review of the plan from the community in March/April 2022.

You said

Of the 67 responses received, 70% (44 respondents) agreed to amend the speed management plan, and 28% (18 respondents) said retain the current plan with no revisions. The most common reasons for participants choosing to have the plan amended were to align it with recent legislative requirements, current best practice, and the long-term vision for Hamilton City.

We did

We updated our Hamilton Speed Management Plan according to these proposed changes. A copy can be found online at hamilton.govt.nz

We asked

In March 2022 we asked you what you thought about our city's parks, playgrounds, river paths and natural areas. We had 701 responses over four weeks.

You said

Hamiltonians love their parks! 72% of Hamiltonians were happy or very happy with the city’s parks and open spaces. They felt:

  • most parks and open spaces were good and well maintained,
  • there are lots of parks and open spaces and a lot of variety to choose from,
  • parks and open spaces being a good place to relax and get respite,
  • people liked using parks and open spaces to walk their dogs,
  • people were happy with the playgrounds in the city, and
  • people were happy with parks and open spaces being close to where they live.

We did

The Parks and Open Spaces Team will use the feedback from the survey along with the Hamilton Play Strategy results received earlier in the year to develop further priorities as part of the Council’s 2021-31 10-Year Plan.

We asked

We asked for specific feedback on the original 58 submissions received when the Plan Change was notified in late 2021. Proposed Plan Change 5 – Peacocke Structure Plan 

You said

18 further submissions were received on specific submission and points.

We did

Hearings were held in late September 2022. Following this, the Hearings Panel issued decisions on Plan Change 5 and these were notified on 1 March 2023. The decisions were subject to an appeal period of 30 working days.

View the full proposed Plan Change 5 including submissions, evidence and recordings.

We asked

In February 2022 we asked the Hamilton community for feedback around the proposal of the reclassification of Fairfield Park from recreation reserve to a local purpose (community facility) reserve. This was in order for Te Whare o Te Ata Fairfield Community House to be able to shift their headquarters to the park.

You said

There were 64 submissions, with four of those being heard at the 5 April 2022 Hearings and Engagement Committee. 86% of respondents supported the reclassification. The key themes from respondents when asked to explain their positions were that:

  • the hall would provide a benefit to the community;
  • the hall would be a great place for the community to come together; and
  • a portion of the park should be reclassified to provide a home to Te Whare o te Ata Fairfield/Chartwell Community Centre Trust.

We did

Based on the submissions received and heard, the partial reclassification of Fairfield Park was approved.

We asked

Hamilton City Council has been developing a Libraries Strategy, and we asked the Hamilton community what their thoughts were on our draft outcomes, including literacy and learning, culture and community, digital leaders, and engaging spaces. We engaged with our staff, mana whenua, schools, and wider community throughout the process.

You said

We asked people what they would like to see our libraries do in the future. The top three themes from each outcome was:

  • Literacy and Learning: 
    • having seminars, book clubs, and group reading activities
    • encouraging kids to use libraries
    • increasing variety/types of books/authors.
  • Culture and Community: 
    • having a variety of cultural books and books in different languages
    • collaborating with community and other ethnic groups
    • having themed celebrations and events. 

n.b. These themes were consistent across respondents from different ethnic groups.

  • Digital leaders: 
    • better use of digital technology for accessing books/e-books
    • making resources on what and how to access online
    • having dedicated staff to assist with digital literacy.
  • Engaging spaces: 
    • having multiple types of spaces such as quiet areas and areas for interactive reading etc
    • having more types of classes and workshops
    • making comfortable seating for all ages and abilities.

We did

The consultation feedback is helping to shape the library strategy which will be presented for adoption by the Community and Natural Environment Committee Meeting in June 2023. The libraries team will ensure that their services and planning align with the strategy.