Another thing to be on the lookout for is amendments to the...

Another thing to be on the lookout for is amendments to the Resource Management Act 1990 that come into force in October 2017: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/rma/reforms-and-amendments/about-resource-legislation-amendment-act-2017

I have only skimmed the surface but my reading of the changes are that they will reduce the red tape - big time.

The TMP is not required for now and that would set a precedent under the amended Act. It effectively means that the HDC can't insist upon any whacky ancillary changes to the road or anything else.

Councils will only be able to require concessions that are directly related to the project. I suspect NTL is awaiting these to come into effect so they don't have to build a school or a statute of the Mayor of HDC. Particularly given the fact that NTL's use of the road has been so low impact that not even PK noticed them there until they accidentally stumbled upon them... Do the math

In the meantime I hear the Council upgraded the road using the contractor Downer this week.