Community Consultation
During the summer of 2008/2009, the Futures Planning Team will be actively undertaking community consultation to obtain the community’s views on a number of aspects of the Growth Strategy (see Consultation Programme for details). In order that we obtain useful information from the community and clearly understand the community’s aspirations early in this process, we encourage the community to:
- Tell us your vision for the Whangarei District for the next 50 years (i.e how would you like to see the district develop over the next 50 years and how would you like to leave it for your children and grandchildren?
- What the main issues are facing the district and that you would like addressed by the Growth Strategy (e.g environmental protection, urban sprawl, the provision of infrastructure, business growth, traffic congestion, affordable housing, impacts of climate change, social and cultural issues etc);
- Which of the three broad settlement patterns (click to view Alternative Futures) do you prefer for the district over the next 50 years?; Why do you prefer this option?
- What are the most important things we can do to ensure this settlement pattern?
- Is there another option you would prefer? Please tell us why.
- Please tell us of any other comments you wish to make?
What Happens Next?
After the first round of consultation, the Futures Planning Team will review all feedback received. An extensive background research and data collection process will be undertaken and the three alternative futures will be assessed using a range of criteria within a sustainable development framework. Each scenario will be analysed and a draft Growth Strategy will be presented to the community for further comment during the second round of consultation over the 2009/2010 summer (details will be posted on the website at a later stage). Finally, a preferred option – a Sustainable Future – will be chosen and used to provide a broad conceptual development path around which further detailed analysis can be conducted.
Sustainable Futures 30/50 represents a partnership between the Whangarei District Council and the community and the extensive two year engagement process will involve the whole community from major stakeholders to members of the public. The community’s input is essential to the successful completion of this important initiative. You can be part of achieving widespread community awareness of and support for our community vision, ensuring that it is widely used to shape Whangarei’s future.
Let us work together to take our district into the next phase – a sustainable future.
Sustainable
