Auckland City Council
Media release

6 April 2009

Your chance to help plan city’s future

Auckland City Council is asking residents of the Auckland isthmus for feedback on plans showing how their area could look in the future, including the use of land and how and where development should occur. 

In an innovative planning approach, plans for ten areas of the isthmus, sitting beneath an over-arching citywide spatial plan, have been developed for feedback, as part of a future planning framework.
 
The framework will be used as the basis for a revised isthmus district plan, due for review in 2010.

“Rather than simply amend the existing district plan we’ve decided to develop a new plan from the bottom up – one that better reflects the changes of a growing, evolving city, including changes in sustainability and urban design, legislation, and community expectations,” said Councillor Graeme Mulholland, deputy chairperson of the city development committee and chairperson of the framework’s political working party.

“The framework is the first step in that process.  It sets out what we think different areas of the isthmus could look like by 2030.  Therefore it’s of huge importance to all residents, businesses and property owners as it may affect their lives in deciding where they want to live, and work, and impact on future property values. That’s why we’re embarking on a major community engagement programme to capture feedback.”

Months of research and input from the community and key stakeholders have already contributed to the plans, which were monitored by a political working party and endorsed by the city development committee.

The community engagement programme includes touch screen displays at major shopping malls and public libraries, print and on-line media advertising, bus stop advertising, and an interactive website, www.itsmybackyard.co.nz

The website gives in-depth information on the framework, poses a ‘”question of the week” online discussion, and will receive feedback until 8 May. 

“It is the most significant exercise in city planning we have undertaken and it’s essential we hear from residents, businesses and people who visit and use the city, as to whether we’re on the right track,” said Mr Mulholland.

He said: “While changes to regional governance appear likely, the information gained in this planning process will have long term value in recognising the specific character and potential of local communities.  These plans, along with those of other councils, would play an important part in informing regional governance for some time.”

ENDS

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