Council chief Nigel Bickle stressed that no decisions have been made, and the council role now is to independently manage the legal process, assess the applications under the relevant legislation, and hear from the community before making any decisions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a private proposal that has been lodged with Council, and no decisions have been made,\u201d he said in a statement. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur role is to ensure there is a fair and transparent process, and that the community has the opportunity to understand the proposal and have a say.\u201d<\/p>\n
Three separate but related applications have been lodged:<\/p>\n
\u2022 A private plan change (rezoning the site from Plains Production and Open Space to Stadium Zone and Racecourse Precinct) to enable the racecourse and related activities;<\/p>\n
\u2022 An application to purchase council-owned land known as Ramsey Crescent Reserve;<\/p>\n
\u2022 An application for an easement over part of a reserve at the end of Flaxmere Ave to provide access to the proposed development.<\/p>\n
Under the private plan change application, the council will consider matters including traffic, noise, lighting, water infrastructure, effects on neighbouring properties, cultural and environmental values, and how the development would look and function within the surrounding area.<\/p>\n
An architectural image of race day at the new course that Hawke’s Bay Racing hopes will be built to open in time for the Spring Racing Carnival in 2029.<\/p>\n
Bickle said it was important that people understood they could comment on any or all parts of the proposal.<\/p>\n
If approved, the private plan change would not automatically allow construction to begin, for further approvals, including resource consents, building consents and engineering approvals, would still be required.<\/p>\n