Auckland plan consultation on tight timetable

The public will be invited to have a say on the future of the region for the next 20-30 years when a draft of the Auckland Council’s Spatial Plan is released next month.

Cr Penny Webster told the Warkworth Liaison Group that Auckland has declared a vision of Auckland as “the world’s most liveable city” and is determined to complete the plan by December 1 this year.

Consultation will consider issues including infrastructure; future location and mix of residential, business and industrial activities; recreational and ecological areas; social, economic and cultural wellbeing; and protection and enhancement of built and natural features.

An initial report is currently due to be released on March 23 which will be followed by the opportunity for public comment before a first draft is completed as a basis for public consideration in June. This will lead to a further draft to be released in August which will be subject to formal submissions hearing to decide what is included. Statutory consultation required under the Local Government Act will then allow for final feedback before the plan is completed in December.

Cr Webster said the new Council had attended workshop meetings to consider plans to make the city centre more walking, cycling and user friendly, but it was important to ensure that the wider region was not forgotten.

“Already it’s becoming very obvious that Warkworth is seen as being a sub-regional centre in the next 20-30 years,” she said.

Auckland’s population is expected to grow from 1.4 million to 2.2 million people by 2051.