Why FutureProof

Balloons

By 2060...

  • Our population may grow from 225,000 to 425, 000 people - that's 200,000 more people.
  • The number of households may increase from 79,000 to 165,000 - that's 86,000 new houses.

Dealing with the impact of this growth is a major challenge facing the Future Proof sub-regional community; the area within the Hamilton City, Waipa District and Waikato District and the Morrinsville area, within Matamata-Piako District.

There are complex issues around future urban and rural land use, natural and cultural resources, roads and other infrastructure that need to be addressed if the wellbeing of the area is to be sustained in the long term. It is difficult for each Council to do this on its own because the effects of decisions often cross territorial boundaries, and may also involve Environment Waikato matters responsibilities.

Hamilton City, Waipa and Waikato Districts and Environment Waikato have committed to the development and implementation of an integrated growth management strategy together with Tangata Whenua, Matamata-Piako District Council (Morrinsville) and the New Zealand Transport Agency as partners.

The project is known as FutureProof and it is proposed to have an agreed and approved strategy completed by 30 June 2009.

What will Future Proof look at?

Future Proof will look at:

  • The qualities of the sub-region that need to be sustained for future generations.
  • The nature of future demand that may come from population and employment growth and change.
  • Land and other resources that may be needed to accommodate predicted growth.
  • The environmental limits of natural and physical resources to determine areas where development should and should not go
  • The scenarios available for accommodating growth.
  • An agreed strategy that will best deliver a sustainable future for the FutureProof sub-region.

The main phases of the project are:

  • Research (Complete)
  • Scenario Development and Consultation (Complete)
  • Development of Preferred Scenario and Draft Strategy (Complete)
  • Draft Strategy Consultation and Hearing of Submissions (March - May 2009)
  • Development of Final Strategy (May- June)