Will this plan shape the region’s future?
Will the Wairarapa–Wellington–Horowhenua region have an extra 200,000 people and 9,000 more homes by the 2050s, with controls on housing and business locations which prevent that growth from expanding into critical farm/food production land?
That’s the big picture option being touted by a Greater Wellington draft future development strategy (FDS) published without fanfare in early October _ and with consultation closing 9 November.
The draft strategy has been prepared by all the councils in the Wairarapa-Wellington-Horowhenua region, Iwi partners and central government – called the Wellington Regional Leadership Committee. (Find it here: https://haveyoursay.gw.govt.nz/fds)
The strategy outlines a future housing and business development vision and gives priority to growth being focussed on the current road and rail networks from Wellington to Horowhenua and Masterton.
It notes that it’s “important to plan for where future generations will live, work and play.”
Planning by all the region’s local bodies is required to ensure the region become more resilient to natural hazards and climate change; improves access to employment, education and housing; reduces carbon emissions, and creates a sustainable and prosperous future.
The proposed strategy concentrates most development in existing urban areas with good current and future transport links. This would help people live low carbon lifestyles and get around more easily. It would “also ensure we protect our natural areas and food production land from encroachment.”
Currently there is enough greenfield land identified for up to 65,000 homes, or two-thirds of the proposed growth. But, the strategy notes, “we know that developing all this greenfield land would not meet our strategic direction.”
Instead, the proposed Future Development Strategy could see as little as 18 percent of housing development on greenfield land and 82 percent on brownfield land _ a huge shift away from expansion and towards infill.
The strategy will also have to address new requirements in relation to freshwater, biodiversity, climate change and urban development issues, as well as new national directions (through National Policy Statements) for freshwater, highly productive land and indigenous biodiversity, plus plans for emission reductions and climate adaptation.
Other issues on which the group seeks feedback:
1: VISION AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION “We aspire to be responsible ancestors by ensuring the Wairarapa-Wellington-Horowhenua Future Development Strategy will provide for growth that is sustainable. We want our future made up of well-functioning urban environments and a flourishing, zero-carbon region that is founded on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and realised through the tino rangatiratanga of tangata whenua.”
2: OUR PLAN FOR WHERE WE DEVELOP HOUSING OVER THE NEXT 30 YEARS “We’re providing for affordable housing that meets our diverse needs, and for compact, well-designed towns and cities. We’re proposing to concentrate most of our housing development in existing urban areas and rural towns with good current and future transport links.”
3: OUR PLAN FOR WHERE WE DEVELOP BUSINESS LAND OVER THE 30 YEARS “We’re proposing to concentrate most of our business development in existing urban areas and rural towns with transport links that function well now or will be improved through developments.”
4: OUR PLAN FOR KEY INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT “Our proposed approach is to maximise use of current and planned infrastructure … to get the best from our infrastructure investments. This includes providing infrastructure such as stormwater, wastewater, drinking water, road, rail, cycleways, electricity and social infrastructure such as schools and hospitals.’
5: OUR PLAN FOR WHERE TO LIMIT OR AVOID DEVELOPMENT “Our proposed plan ensures communities are safer from significant natural hazards and are becoming more climate resilient, and regional growth also avoids creating new risks. It ensures urban development is designed to minimise impacts on the natural environment, our food producing areas and our rich cultural heritage.”
6: REFLECTING IWI AND HAPŪ VALUES AND ASPIRATIONS “Te Tirohanga Whakamua is a statement of iwi and hapū values and aspirations for urban development in our region. It was created by WRLC iwi members and has informed the development of our draft strategy. Supporting values and aspirations it sets out is vital to realising the strategy’s vision of a region founded on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and realised through the tino rangatiratanga of tangata whenua, (and incorporates the) significant number of Māori living in our region (who) do not have whakapapa links here.”
Feedback must be received by 5pm Thursday 9th November. Hearings on the draft Future Development Strategy are scheduled to be held in the week beginning 11th December.
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