More time to have a say

Alex Swney. Photo / APN

The Auckland Council has changed its mind for a second time over its tight deadlines for public submissions on plans for important and costly changes.

On Thursday, the council extended the time allowed for public comment on "Getting Auckland's Waste Sorted" from November 17 to January 31.

When the draft plan to introduce user-pays for the region's rubbish collection was revealed on Monday, the time allowed for for feedback was November 10 to December 15.

But councillors feared they would be accused of blocking useful suggestions.

This was also the case in Tuesday's extension of the submissions period for the 254-page draft Auckland Plan by six days to October 31.

This was because people were being overloaded with proposals which were competing with the Rugby World Cup, school holidays, Labour Weekend, and the election.

The change was welcomed by Heart of the City chief executive Alex Swney.

"They will need every minute of that extension if they are going to wade through and decipher the four plans that are out for feedback."