Media release 14 October 2008
COMMENT SOUGHT ON GROWTH MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
14 October 2008
People in Hamilton, Waipa and Waikato have until early November to comment on how they see growth being managed across the region over the next 50 years.
A combined project between four councils - Future Proof - (Hamilton, Waikato and Waipa Districts and Environment Waikato) was established earlier this year to develop a visionary strategic plan for land use, infrastructure and roading that best met the long term needs of the sub region.
Future Proof's Independent Chair, Doug Arcus said that by combining the resources of the three territorial authorities and Environment Waikato, a fully integrated plan can be developed to manage and fund sustainable growth.
"Growth projections for the region show the population nearly doubling in the next 50 years. How we manage the demand for housing and industrial land and how we plan for infrastructure such as roads and water treatment plants is vital to future sustainability."
"Government has been very clear that for them to consider the funding of raods and other infrastructure needed for the region's growth they need to know that we are all agreed on a future direction that is based on sound information and makes good sense," he said.
The NZ Transport Agency and Tangata Whenua are also involved as major stakeholders. In more recent times the scope of the sub region has been extended to include the township of Morrinsville.
This is the first part of two rounds of consultation, with the second part being on the draft strategy itself which will take into account the feedback from the first round.
Three scenarios have been developed that paint a picture of how life might be if growth was managed differently over the next 50 years. The options outline the footprint of land and the different housing densities required to meet the needs outlined in each option.
Scenario one is business as usual. The region is allowed to continue to grow in the way it always has meaning a continuation of urban sprawl translating to a need for 6,000 ha of new urban development by 2060.
Scenario two provides for a more compact settlement. This reflects that the community is embracing change around an aging community, smaller household sizes, increasing fuel costs and less affordable housing. Plans in this scenario include a significant increase in the number of households within a smaller land area, requiring 4,000ha of new urban development by 2060.
Scenario three represents a major shift in the way the region grows to ensure long-term sustainability. Up to 40percent of all residential development is intensified, requiring only 2,000 ha of new urban land.
A number of elements have fed into the development of the scenarios including looking at residential and business land requirements, the future demands for retail, the infrastructure and land use requirements as well as funding and development constraints.
"This project is of immense importance to the sub region. Predicted growth rates for the region mean it is imperative to work together to plan while we are still able to have a positive influence," Mr Arcus said.
The consultation document is available on the website www.futureproof.org.nz or by contacting your local council. Submissions close at 5pm on Monday 10 November.
Ends
For more information please contact:
Jo Ireland
021 408 806
Sarah Bettle
DDI 07 838 6843
Mobile 021 279 2338