Subscribe to RSSGovt Involved In Auck Spatial Plan
The Government is writing to the new Auckland Council to inform them how the government will “engage” with the council in the development of the first spatial plan.
It wants to make sure the 20-30 year spatial plan is “properly integrated into broader decision making.”
Environment Minister Nick Smith said Cabinet believed that the spatial plan is the “key vehicle for developing an integrated approach to managing Auckland’s urban growth.”
He said a number of government agencies, including the Department of Internal Affairs and the Ministry for the Environment, will be working alongside the council.
“The spatial plan will illustrate how Auckland will develop in the future. It will show where and when growth will occur in transport, housing, energy, water, recreation, education and health infrastructure and services,” Dr Smith said.
“Aucklanders will be looking to see that the spatial plan sets out their aspirations for their city - all those that are affordable and feasible - and which supports efficient and effective resource allocation. It will provide guidance to improve Auckland’s built environment, and ensure infrastructure is delivered in the right place at the right time.”
He and local government minister Rodney Hide said they will discuss the spatial plan at an Auckland central government-local government forum in the New Year.
“Auckland is the engine room of New Zealand’s economy. A prosperous Auckland ensures economic growth for the rest of the country, and makes a significant contribution to the Government’s economic growth, social, environmental and infrastructure objectives,” Mr Hide said.
“Internationally, cities are increasingly driving national economic growth and competing globally for skilled workers, international and innovative companies, and high value economic activities. Auckland is predicted to take up to 60 percent of New Zealand’s population growth over the next 30 years and will provide New Zealand with a significant economic opportunity.
Submissions on a Ministry for the Environment discussion document outlining proposals to reform the urban and infrastructure planning system, including proposals relating to spatial planning provisions, close on 17 December.
9 Comments
Why am I worried that this will be the Govt’s way of crossing out RTN lines and drawing motorways on the spatial plan map?
This is the paragraph which worries me…
“Aucklanders will be looking to see that the spatial plan sets out their aspirations for their city – all those that are affordable and feasible – and which supports efficient and effective resource allocation. It will provide guidance to improve Auckland’s built environment, and ensure infrastructure is delivered in the right place at the right time.”
Affordable and feasible by who`s definition? Infrastructure delivered at the right place and right time according to who? The dark hands of SJ, RH and JK hover omniously in the background…
How to hamstring and disable an Auckland Council that wasn`t what they`d counted on.
Why am I worried that Rodney and Nick will be saying - no matter what you want we will tell you what you are going to have?
I agree, I think the Spatial Plan is very short sighted aims at increasing urban sprawl and building as many motorways as possible, leaving virtually no funding for the much needed public transport improvements. I am also worried about the future of Tauranga once the construction of the Eastern Link has started.
I am very worried about the effects that this will bring to the evironment such as increased urban sprawl and heavy trucks using the highway as well. How are cities surposed to grow sustainably if we don’t integrate our transport plan, by up grading public transport as well.
It’s true that the government wants to make Tauranga a mini version of Auckland so it can screw the region urban planning up as car dependant, much like it has done to Auckland in the past 50 years, shame, we never learn anything do we!.
Only a miracle can stop this project now, such as a major earthquake or a huge flood in the region, that we ultimately back track this stupid pet project once an full all.
I believe in a more sustainable future for both Auckland and Tauranga, which is why Len Brown was elected as major as we don’t want to elect some stupid right wing anti-rail National MP who will screw up Auckland for many generations to come.
Some government departments definitely need to work with the council on the spatial plan as things like schools and hospitals will need to be planned at the same time.
What I would object to is the government trying to tell Auckland where and how to develop. If we as Aucklanders wants collectively want certain transport solutions then we should be able to decide them and plan for them. If we want want to limit sprawl that should be our choice and we shouldn’t be forced to open up new land to development.
After what has happened so far one has to wonder if they are scared about the prospect of losing control that they though was theirs.
In the end the legislation says that the Auckland Council must approve the Spatial Plan. So if the Council doesn’t like it, then they won’t approve it.
And if the council does that Josh the govt will calmly tell them they`re not getting much central funding since they won`t cooperate. Whichever way you look at it, this is a form of local govt designed in a way by this central govt to be controlled one way or the other by it.
“all those that are affordable and feasible”
They are just being plain assholes with these constant reminders. It’s not like anybody knows what they are referring to, huh?
Well, tell you what, Mr Smith - arrogance is one of the best ways of losing voters. They tolerate stupid decisions pretty well, especially when they don’t really understand (or bother to understand) why the decisions are stupid.
But they remember arrogance and presumption pretty well.
Dear Government - Back off and let Auckland run itself. We’ll decide what’s best for our city, not people from Nelson, Dipton or other places.
Stop trying to impose your ideologically driven strategy on us, we’ve voted in who we want for mayor and councillers let them get on with doing what they have a mandate to do.
Your interference is not wanted.