SmartGrowth Strategy
The adoption in 2004 and revision in 2007 of the SmartGrowth Strategy and Implementation Plan by the three partner Councils continues to be a significant strategic approach for the western Bay of Plenty sub-region.
The Strategy strengthens the sub-regional response to growth management. The outlook to 2051 provides a context for considering decisions of the present,and how they may affect the welfare of future generations.
The Strategy sets out the vision:
"In 50 years' time ... the western Bay of Plenty is a place where people can contribute to and enjoy a quality of life that meets their needs and aspirations. It provides lifestyle choices from surf to mountain-tops, which support and reflect the natural attributes of the area. There is a strong community feeling accompanied by spirit and pride."
Our vision is that by 2051, the western Bay of Plenty will be a unique area, which has:
- Maintained and improved its natural and cultural environment.
- Enhanced the lifestyles of its communities and provided for the social needs of residents.
- Created a thriving, sustainable economy.
- Provided an efficient and affordable infrastructure.
- Implemented an efficient and integrated planning process for growth management.
The Strategy reinforces the importance of some familiar issues, including the location of housing and employment and their impact on transportation networks and the need to protect versatile land resources that provide a strong base for the regions economy.
It has also highlighted the need to address areas that have not traditionally been part of growth management in the sub-region. These include the development of resources by Tangata Whenua, strengthening the position of families, and the provision of affordable housing.
How was the inital SmartGrowth Strategy developed?
There were several key elements in the early stages of the SmartGrowth planning process:
- identifying the kind of place we want the western Bay of Plenty to be in the years to come
- assuring strong leadership
- an agreement that we would all work together
- protection of the environment for future generations (partly through a more compact urban form)
- respect for the history and values of the original inhabitants of the area
Phase One
Developing a structure for managing strategy development between the councils, tangata whenua, and the community, as well as devising and completing an adequate funding plan. This phase took six months to complete.
Phase Two
The second phase began in July 2001. It focussed on researching reasons for growth, likely demands of growth and issues involved in accommodating those demands: - supply of land for housing, business and open space
- servicing for water supply, sewer, roads and stormwater
- protection of natural and cultural heritage
The second phase also included establishing communication with the community. |
Phase Three
The third and fourth phases focussed on developing options for accommodating growth, testing and costing these to identify the best option taking into account community needs.
Phase Four
The costing and evaluation of options.
Phase Five
Study of how the preferred option would be implemented, including detailed planning of areas likely to be subject to growth pressure and how the strategy would be funded.
Phase Six
The final phase was seeking public input on the strategy, followed by publication of the final strategy. This was completed in April 2004 and launched publicly by the Prime Minister the Rt Hon Helen Clark on May 14th, 2004.
Implementation
Following the launch, participating Councils and Tangata Whenua set up a SmartGrowth Implementation Committee. This is independently chaired and supported by an Implementation Advisor and Implementation Management Group.
SmartGrowth Strategy May 2004
For a copy of the initial strategy ,adopted in May 2004, please click here.
Undertaking the Action Review in 2006/07
An action review of the strategy was undertaken from mid 2006 to mid 2007 to ensure that the Strategy remained aligned with the actual impact of growth and that all actions were still relevant and able to contribute to delivering on the vision and overall principles of each area.
The revised strategy was readopted in May 2007. The action review was undertaken by:
Phase One
Each action within the adopted strategy was reviewed by the SmartGrowth Implementation Management Group to ensure that it was still relevant and delivering on the core vision and principles of the strategy. Any actions no longer relevant were either amended or removed.
The review of each action also included reviewing the timing, lead and support agencies and overall title and description of the action.
Phase Two
From here each action was divided into 3 sub-categories:
- Action Completed (actions completed at the time of the 2006 action review)
- Specific Project Actions (project based actions with specific deliverables and timelines
- On-Going Approaches (actions which are on-going policy or behaviour approaches which have no specific timelines)
Phase Three
Public input and consultation was undertaken on the revised Strategy actions with the hearing of submissions and deliberations undertaken by the SmartGrowth Implementation Committee.
Phase Four
Adoption and publication of the revised Strategy occurred in May 2007.
Implementation
This was ongoing throughout the review process and continues as planned.
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