waikato regional council - the waikato spatial plan · implications going from growth to decline...
TRANSCRIPT
The Waikato Spatial Plan
Strategic Planners Network, 5th Sept14
Introduction
� An opportunity to discuss the concept of a Waikato Spatial Plan, and what it might achieve.
� Key messages:
1. Working together creates meaningful change
2. Waikato a key part of the ‘Golden Triangle’
3. Central Govt. is our single largest investment partner
4. We are all facing similar forces and trends
5. Our current planning framework is fragmented
Spatial planning
“Spatial planning gives geographical expression to the economic, social, cultural and ecological policies of society”
Source: European Charter 1983
Good spatial plans are
� Strategic – long term vision and goals
� Simple to understand and inspire action
� Prepared in partnership
� Provide a clear picture of future priorities
� Provide a basis for joint decision making and partnership
� Able to evolve over time
European
examples -
Ireland
Why a Spatial Plan?
� When we have a collective voice we succeed:
o RTC’s advocacy for the Waikato Expressway
o JOG funding for rail – double capacity of the ECMT
o Confidence to support record investment in 2012-15 NLTP
o Lake Taupo Protection Trust - $81M to improve Land Taupo water quality
� What are our next big priorities..?
A strong upper north island
� Waikato located in the UNI “Golden Triangle
� Auckland Plan completed 2012:
� Tamaki housing
� Inner City Rail Loop
� $10B of SH investment
� Bay of Plenty commenced a Spatial Plan
Investment in our communities
� Central Government is our single largest investment partner ($1 : $8 ratio):
1. Social welfare $2,286M
2. Health $1,308M
3. Education $1,013M
4. Core services $364M
5. Law and order $342M
6. Transport + comms $233M
7. Defence $213M
8. Economic Dev $167M
RTC
Demographics – strategic issues
� Age driven growth
� Implications going from growth to decline
� Hamilton City’s has a different profile
� Low fertility / smaller households (not houses)
� Population waves passing through communities
� How tight will the labour market get..?
� Will the regions elderly age in place.?
Forces and trends
Complex legislative environment
How the Waikato Communicates
Strategies, Policies, Plans and Bylaws Number
Total documents 649Policies 322
Bylaws 92
Strategies 69
District Plan, Structure Plan, Variation or Change 45
Non-RMA Plans 39
Reserve Management Plan 37
Activity or Asset Management Plan 22
Bylaw & Policy 7
Corporate 5
Manual 2
Statement 2
Others (unique docs) 7
What might a spatial plan achieve
� A strategic response to demographic change
� Align water supply to settlement pattern
� Reform the regulatory framework
� Improved engagement with Crown agencies on service delivery – target to high priority regional issues
� Efficiency savings for NZ Inc and Waikato Ratepayers
� Evidence base to inform debates on local government reform
What might central govt. want
� Levels of service in areas of population decline
� Future demand projections and implications for levels of service
� Alignment between transport and land use planning
� A clear statement of priorities for investment
� Roles and responsibilities
� Identify gaps policy approach
Section 79 provides a framework
� Clause 2 – Strategic intent:
� Strategic 30-year view
� Wellbeing based. Phase one examined this
� Clause 3 – Strategic direction:
� The focus for the Joint Committee
� Clause 4 – Technical delivery:
� Technical reference group
� Inform policy debate
Stages of a Waikato process
1. A common evidence base on wellbeings, critical infrastructure and demographics
2. A summary report
3. A discussion paper on governance – Joint Committee
Findings of Stage One
Strengths
� Nationally significant infrastructure and connections to
Auckland and Tauranga
� Contribution to national economy through important industry
sectors
� Hamilton as the Waikato centre for innovation, employment
and services
Challenges
� Declining rural populations and associated decline in
services
� An ageing population and shrinking skill base
� Water quality and water allocation
� Economic inequalities across the region
Opportunities
� Maximising opportunities, including investment, through
aligned planning
� Leveraging Maori development
� Connectivity to the Upper North Island
Key agencies in collaboration
1. Already working on this approach:
� NZ Transport Agency / Regional Transport Committee
� Sport NZ and Sport Waikato
� Creative NZ and Creative Waikato
2. Wanting to engage:
� National Infrastructure Unit
� Social agencies
A united
approach
Regional
Sub-
regional
Waikato Corporates
The Spatial Plan Joint Committee
Who is on it
Independent Chairperson
Mayor Max Baxter Otorohanga District Council
Cnr Allan Goddard Waitomo District Council
Deputy Mayor Bruce Gordon Hauraki District Council
Mayor Julie Hardaker Hamilton City Council
Cnr Wally Hayes Waikato District Council
Cnr Rosanne Jollands Taupo District Council
Mayor Jim Mylchreest Waipa District Council
Cnr Leonie Tisch Matamata-Piako District Council
Cnr Bob Simcock Waikato Regional Council
Mayor Neil Sinclair South Waikato District Council
3 Non-Local Government Reps
Person to represent Maori
Role of the Joint Committee
� Prepare and consult on the Waikato Spatial Plan
� 3 touch points for local authorities:
1. Community engagement plan (for information)
2. Draft Spatial Plan (for approval)
3. Adoption of the spatial plan post submissions
� Implementation through existing mechanisms
Joint Committee Meetings for 2014
� 15th September:
� Confirm appointments for Non-Local Govt. reps
� Draft comms strategy
� Demographics
� Draft Project scope
� November – Regional baseline
� Existing settlement pattern
� Baseline data on
� Common “Waikato Context” statement in LTPs
Workshop session
Outcomes from today
� Confirm technical reference group members
� Scope of technical working group
� Technical deliverables for this group
� Communication needs / channels