Hearing of submissions on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council's draft Long Term Plan begin next week.

The sessions start in Rotorua on April 15 before heading to Mount Maunganui on Thursday and the following Monday.

Photo: File.

More than 270 submissions were received when the draft Long Term Plan closed for submissions on March 20, a total chairman Doug Leeder says is 50 per cent more than the 182 received for the previous plan in 2012.

Doug says he's delighted with the response. 'We need residents' input about what is most important to them, and where we should spend a limited amount of money over the next 10 years,” he says.

'Our five key community outcomes have been identified for our region – water quality and quantity, environmental protection, resilience and safety, regional collaboration and leadership and economic development.

'It's important that people told us what they want for their region, and it gives us a strong basis on which to make decisions.”

People have shown strong support for the proposed water policies and catchment work, and efforts to maintain or improve biodiversity and biosecurity, says Doug.

There's also healthy backing for future policy and planning, but mixed views on non-statutory planning.

Infrastructure funding requests, particularly for Tarawera and Te Puna sewerage, are well supported, along with a fair degree of support for rebuilding the Infrastructure Fund.

There's also backing for civil defence plans and climate change-related resilience and safety work. Iwi also want support from the Regional Council's Māori Policy team to develop Memoranda of Understanding.

Also among the submissions are a number of non-infrastructure funding requests, but only a few submissions were made on the proposed general rates increase, and some dispute the fairness of targeted rates.

More hearings sessions are required because of the large number of submitters who wish to be heard. The Long Term Plan will be finalised in June this year after public submissions have been considered.

Hearings are to be to be held on the following days:

Wednesday April 15:

The Baycrest Room, Sudima Hotel, 1000 Eruera Street, Rotorua, 9 am.

Thursday, April 16:

The Cruise Deck, Club Mount Maunganui, 45 Kawaka Street, Mount Maunganui, 9 am.

Friday, April 17:

CMR1, Bay of Plenty Regional Council Office, 5 Quay Street, Whakatane, 9 am.

Monday, April 20:

Mount Maunganui, the Cruise Deck, Club Mount Maunganui, 45 Kawaka Street, 9 am.