What is SmartGrowth?
SmartGrowth is a programme aimed at implementing a plan for managing growth in the western Bay of Plenty to ensure that as the area grows, it will continue to be a great place to live, work and play.
The programme is being led by Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, and Tangata Whenua who work with community groups and government agencies such as the NZ Transport Agency.
"The context for the Strategy is a sub-region facing long-term growth pressure while at the same time, many sectors of the community, are demanding greater consideration of quality of life issues and protection of the core values that make the sub-region such a desirable place to live."
"Managing Growth in the Western Bay"
The three-block logo and strapline "Managing Growth in the Western Bay" are designed to represent:
- Integrated and cost effective growth management Relationships between key organisations and the community
- Being part of a much bigger picture, nationally and internationally Promoting awareness and understanding of core issues
- Phased development of the strategy
- A simple, but robust approach
- Land, water, and air - the three primary resources
- The core concept of "live, work and play"
SmartGrowth grew out of community concerns about continued rapid population growth, and a lack of effective planning to manage this growth.
Why SmartGrowth?
The western Bay of Plenty sub-region has had a history of rapid population growth since the 1950s. Management of urban and rural development in a sustainable manner is one of the most fundamental challenges facing the western Bay of Plenty sub-region.
The area is growing at an extraordinary rate.
Every week:
- 135 people arrive from other places
- 66 people leave the area
- 30 new houses are built
- 60 more vehicles go on the road, and
- 51 new jobs are created
The population of the western Bay of Plenty in 2001 was 130,000. This is predicted to increase to 198,000 by 2021 and 286,000 by 2051.
But the population increase won't be just "more of the same". Household structures are changing, while traditional families are likely to double in number by 2051, single and two-person households will treble, and our population is aging. In 2001, 5000 people in the area were 80 years of age or older. By 2051, this will increase to 35,000 (a 7 fold increase).
All of this leads to a need for:
- more residential accommodation
- new forms of housing
- additional business land
- more community, cultural and educational facilities
- new and different health care services
- better roads
- more efficient public transport
- greater opportunities for safe walking and cycling
- high-quality water to more than twice as many people as at present
- adequate wastewater and stormwater services.
At the same time, we need to preserve the environment, cultural heritage and open space that draw people to the area and make the western Bay such a special place to live.
This is a tall order - and the very reason why SmartGrowth was launched in the first place.
