This section contains a summary of 'Sustainable Futures 30/50', which is Council's long-term planning project for the district, developed through consultation with the community.
Updated:
19/12/2011 12:19 p.m.
Sustainable Futures 30/50
The Whangarei District Growth Strategy: Sustainable Futures 30/50 is our strategic planning document, which was produced in response to growth in the district over the period 2001 - 2008.
This growth resulted in widespread land development throughout the district, including ribbon development along the coast and transport corridors, sporadic development on the urban fringes, and scattered rural residential development throughout the rural and coastal areas.
The widely dispersed nature of this development created a number of challenges for the district, including the timely and cost effective provision of infrastructure, managing cumulative effects of development on the environment, and the fragmentation, and reduction in the productive potential of agricultural land.
Planning for future growth
Although growth in the district is slowing in line with global and national trends, future growth is projected to continue and in some parts of the district has the potential to be substantial.
To manage projected growth sustainably, we are committed to formulating a long term sub-regional growth strategy. This project has several objectives:
- identify economic drivers of development
- assess future growth potential
- determine existing and potential land use patterns
- assess and plan for infrastructural requirements for the district over a 30/50 year time frame.
Environmental, social and cultural constraints on, and consequences of, anticipated development were identified and assessed.
This research and analysis enabled a long term, integrated, strategic planning programme to be developed, based upon sustainability principles, which will assist the sustainable development of the district over the next 50 years.
Development of a growth strategy
The Growth Strategy was formulated using a sustainable development approach. It integrates the four sustainability criteria contained within the concept - sustainable economy, environment, society and culture. This is in recognition that if development is to be beneficial to the district over the long term it must not be at the expense of the natural environment.
It must enhance social well being, and it must recognise and respect cultural diversity. Adopting a sustainable development approach also meets the requirements of the Local Government Act which specifically requires councils to orientate their planning to improving four well beings: economic, environmental, social and cultural.
The four wellbeings
The four well beings were first examined on a district-wide basis under the following groupings:
Sustainable economy
The economic profile of the district, drivers of growth, development strategies, minerals and aggregates, and energy resources were examined.
Sustainable environment
Land use, natural hazards, biodiversity, landscape/natural character, air and water quality, contaminated land, climate change and ecosystem services were analysed.
Sustainable society
Demographic trends, socio-economic indicators, health, education and public safety, sense of place, local character and urban design were examined.
Sustainable culture
Included an analysis of ethnic diversity, historic and cultural heritage, and arts, culture and civic amenities.
Sustainable infrastructure
Looked at land transport, air and sea transport, telecommunications, along with local infrastructure and services.
Alternative development strategies
Three alternative development strategies for the district were assessed based upon feedback from public consultation, input from tangata whenua, infrastructure and services costings, and use of a 'sustainability matrix'.
A preferred future development path - Sustainable Future 30/50 - was selected. The future development path was then examined in greater detail. The projected growth of each settlement node in the district was analysed along with land and infrastructure requirements.
Constraints on development were identified along with important natural, cultural and historic heritage. Local character, urban design and sense of place together with arts, culture and civic amenities were examined.
Finally, an overview of implementation processes and monitoring requirements was included in the Growth Strategy. A full implementation plan will be prepared in the next phase of the Sustainable Futures 30/50 project.
Details and further information about the project can be found by following the links below.
Growth Projections
Research and ReportsFinal Strategy