By Mt Hobson Group

03/13/2012 The Auckland Spatial Plan is in the first stages of development. According to Mayor Len Brown, “Its purpose and plan is to make Auckland the most liveable city in the world.” Its goal is innovation. Its structure has been both criticised and commended. However, one thing that can’t be argued is that it is a blue print for a future Auckland and its happening now. The plan identifies five transformational shifts to achieve Brown’s vision. The first focus is to accelerate the prospects of Auckland's youth. “Effort will be made to improve education and learning,” explains Ree Anderson, Manager Regional Strategy, Community and Cultural Policy. Anderson believes that the plan is one way for the government and council to establish clear priorities, shared goals, cooperation and commitment to the various activities that are undertaken in the name of a younger population.

There is concern in this area with critics citing council over-involvement in education and healthcare. Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer has been quoted as saying, “Keeping Auckland affordable is where this council’s focus should be, rather than trying to muscle into the region’s classrooms and hospitals. Ratepayers and the government want focus. Let’s not forget that was the initial intention of the Auckland amalgamation and spatial plan.” A second shift is a commitment to environment action. According to Anderson, “This shift is concerned with having a fundamentally different approach to the way we grow and develop, including more sustainable buildings, infrastructure and practice, together with enhancing our natural environment. This shift is also about leveraging off our innovation and expanding green technologies to be a world leader in this field.” To expand upon environmental concerns, the draft plan includes two ideas: “Sustainably manage natural resources" and "Treasure our coastline, harbours, islands and marine areas.” According to Anderson, there are a range of directives in the environment chapter that underpin environmental priorities. “The plan includes a commitment to a quality compact Auckland; acknowledging the importance of the role of our rural environment; and contributing to tackling climate change and increasing energy resilience.” Clean Water is also addressed in the environment chapter. Directive 5.7: "Set appropriate limits on pollutants to achieve water quality improvements." Similarly, Directive 5.11 was added to "protect coastal areas, particularly those with high values, special natural character or significant marine habitats and recreational importance, from the impacts of land based development". According to Anderson, “One of these actions is to investigate and identify coastal areas where further development should not occur or future development is inappropriate.” In general, the government would like to see more land freed for development. However, the council has stuck with a 75:25 split, with 75 percent of new development to take place within the renamed Metropolitan Urban Limit (soon to be called the Rural Urban Boundary) and 25 percent of new development occurring on greenfields outside of the boundary. ACT Party Leader Don Brash believes that “The new boundaries, which will ban urban development outside the rural-urban line, will see 75 percent of new housing over the next 30 years built within the existing already built-up areas. This could have a devastating effect on housing affordability.” Hamish Firth, managing director of Auckland’s leading resource management consultancies, Mt Hobson Group, is excited by the prospect of having a new plan which lays out a unified growth strategy, but has some concerns on the detail. “What often gets lost in the vision and blueprint is the clear concept on how we will get there. What mechanisms will provide for the growth? District Plans and growth document have been guilty of providing good intentions, but not so good on the delivery. The Multiple Urban Limit (Rural Urban Boundary) is a good example. No growth is promoted outside these limits, but the ability to provide for affordable living within the growth areas is more uncertain.” Firth’s concerns lead to a third focus of the draft plan: To substantially improve the quality of urban living. Anderson explains that while the natural environment is stunning, the quality of urban environment is mixed. “There is a strong emphasis on design throughout the draft plan to ensure that our urban environments are beautiful and work well for people, enhancing their everyday experience.” A fourth round of changes is a move to outstanding public transport within one network. “There is a commitment to improve public transport through a range of initiatives including major projects such as the city rail link,” Anderson says. The rail link will improve services around the city centre, along the western line to centres such as New Lynn, and to south centres such as Onehunga. A final primary focus will be to substantially raise living standards for all Aucklanders and focus on those most in need. “This requires a structural shift in the Auckland economy to being more export driven. It also requires us to focus in areas where there is significant disadvantage, so that the wellbeing of all our communities is enhanced and everyone is able to contribute to their full potential,” Anderson explains. Currently, the draft plan is in its fourth phase during which plan amendments are being put forth for evaluation decision. In mid-December, a final version will be adopted and forward movement will begin.

Mt Hobson Group has obtained over 2,500 resource consents in Auckland and throughout New Zealand. Hamish Firth, MHG Principal, has extensive consulting experience with commercial, industrial, and residential resource management experience.

Mt Hobson Group

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