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What you'll do at the hearing

The hearing gives you the chance to explain your submission to the hearing committee, and present evidence that supports your submission.

A hearing committee is made up of councillors and/or independent commissioners, one of whom may act as a chairperson. Their role is to listen to arguments for and against a proposal put forward by submitters, and they are usually authorised to make a final decision on it except for a full plan which needs to be approved by the full council.

You'll most likely have the chance to read out a written statement, and to present evidence that supports your submission. The hearing committee might ask you questions about your submission, your statement, or your evidence. After everyone has had a chance to speak, the hearing committee makes its decision. This is usually done in private, but on occasion will be in public.

Making a statement

The statement you read out at the hearing will expand on the points you've made in your written submission. Someone else can read out your statement for you, if you want.

Your statement might include examples that illustrate some of the points in your submission, or comments about the recommendations in the council officer's report. You can also just read straight from your submission.

Plan your statement carefully, and practice reading it. The hearing is your chance to give voice to your submission.

Evidence is anything that backs up your statement. Evidence can be oral, written or visual - you can use photographs and drawings as evidence. Evidence should focus on facts - not emotions - and be directly relevant to the submission.

Who else will be at the hearing?

The hearing committee may have any number of people on it.

A council officer will generally be there to present the council officer's report about the proposed plan, plan change or plan variation. Other council officers, such as urban designers or traffic engineers, might also be there to give technical advice.

At a hearing about an application for a private plan change, the applicant will be there, and might have an advocate or a lawyer as well. The applicant might have brought other experts to back up his or her proposal.

The other submitters to the plan change will probably be there as well. They might also have brought an advocate, a lawyer or an expert witness (such as a professional with expertise on a matter which the submitter submitted on).

A council hearing is usually open to the public and the media, so there may be members of the public in attendance at the hearing. Unless they have made a submission and asked to be heard, they will not be invited to speak at the hearing.


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