Dunedin’s district plan (the 2GP) is marking a major milestone today as it becomes partially operative.

The partially operative plan now replaces the previous district plan with all plan provisions beyond appeal apart from 6 site-specific appeals, and one site specific agreement sitting with the Court.  

The 2GP is the key document setting out the rules and requirements for land use and development in Dunedin. It has a critical role in shaping the look and feel of our city as well as the opportunities we enable for future housing and business to locate in Dunedin. 

The 2GP has had to balance the need for growth and development with protecting things the community values such as areas important to maintaining biodiversity, significant heritage buildings and places, important visual landscapes and areas of significance to mana whenua. It has also needed to consider the risk from natural hazards and the challenge of climate change mitigation and adaptation. 

It has been a long, complex and interesting journey to reach this point. DCC staff have worked incredibly hard over the years to create a plan that balances all these competing needs to create a planning framework that strikes the right balance for our city. 

We’ve been helped by a wide range of submitters, experts and other stakeholders, who have had a huge influence on the final outcome, and we’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to the development of the 2GP along the way.  

The DCC first publicly notified the Proposed Second Generation Dunedin City District Plan (2GP) in 2015, followed by extensive public consultation. There were 1055 submissions and 452 further submissions on the plan, followed by 105 days of hearings to hear from 770 submitters. The Hearing Panel notified their decisions in 2018. 

83 appeals were lodged against the decisions, but all of the appeals affecting the provisions as they apply generally and the majority of site specific appeals have since been resolved, mostly through mediation, meaning the 2GP can now be made partially operative. 

However, reaching the milestone doesn’t mean work stops. The 2GP is a living document that needs to adapt to the ever changing needs of our community. 

We continually review the effectiveness of the plan, particularly in response to changes, such as population growth, the impact of new types of housing on our neighbourhoods, and changes in the nature and needs of businesses and services in our community. We have an open-door policy when it comes to suggestions on how to improve the plan and better provide for the communities’ needs going forward, and we regularly receive feedback from the community. 

The partially operative Dunedin City District Plan (2024) and associated Planning Map are viewable at  www.dunedin.govt.nz/2gp.