SmartGrowth is an initiative which provides western Bay of Plenty communities with clear, achievable and sustainable strategies for accommodating long-term growth in the region. An Implementation Plan has been developed, and this will continue to be followed on an ongoing basis.
SmartGrowth provides a clear signal to the community on the long-term strategy for the sustainable management of growth for the 50 year period. Issues of particular concern are the location and type of residential housing, economic development (including the provision of adequate business land), transportation, open space and opportunities for sports, arts and leisure activities.
Residential development
The pattern of residential development to 2051 is based on these key elements:
- Keeping development within existing urban areas of Waihi Beach, Katikati, Omokoroa, Tauranga, and Te Puke
- Re-development through mixed-use activity at business and community centres, and other preferred locations.
- Greenfield development at increased densities in residential growth areas at Waihi Beach, Katikati, Omokoroa, Bethlehem, Pyes Pa, Papamoa, Papamoa East, and Te Puke
- Papakainga housing development on multiple-owned Maori land for whanua and hapu
- Limiting other small settlements throughout the sub-region to a scale and character that does not detract from rural amenity
- Staging of residential development to ensure adequate supply of land for various needs and to lessen price pressures from supply shortages
Through all of this, Tauranga city centre will retain, and enhance, its function as the business and cultural heart of the sub-region. Continued implementation of the City Centre Strategy and City Living principles will serve as a basis for further redevelopment. The city centre will increasingly serve as an area for high-quality, apartment style living.
Economic development
A thriving economy is an important component of sustainable development, as it enables people to meet their needs through employment and the availability of services.
The SmartGrowth Strategy has an important role in planning for the provision of business land and services to support investment. Supply of land should follow these key approaches:
- Whenever possible, provision in or near existing communities to promote accessibility for employees
- Provision in close proximity to arterial transport routes to allow efficient movement of people and goods and to reduce adverse effects on residential areas
- Provision for additional land at a rate and in a manner that matches population growth and location
- Provision for additional land based in employment areas at Katikati, Omokoroa, Tauriko, Papamoa East, Rangiuru and Te Puke.
Changing the path of future economic activity will require interventions to achieve a different industry, occupational, and skill mix in the longer term. Strategies to address these issues are dealt with through the SmartEconomy (sub-regional Economic Development) Strategy.
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Transport
Transport is the most significant infrastructure issue, given its large public and private costs, environmental effects, and influence on urban form. Development of the road network has a close relationship to future land-use patterns, and they need to be planned in a coordinated manner.
Transport planning at the sub-regional level is now strongly influenced by the Land Transport Management Act 2003 (including the Amendment Act 2008), which emphasises a sustainable and integrated strategy. This includes public transport (mostly bus), cycling and walking in addition to road/car-based transport. The land transport section of the SmartGrowth Strategy is a significant sub-regional component of the Regional Land Transport Strategy (RLTS).
The SmartGrowth Strategy recognises that:
- Development of the SmartTransport Corridors (integrating land use and transportation) is critical
- Public transport, walking and cycling are promoted through urban design, with specific targets set for commuter trips by modes other than private vehicles
- Road networks within the broader region are improved to support the impact of growth
- While rail is likely to remain principally for freight, opportunities should be taken as they arise to secure a wider rail corridor to accommodate both freight and passenger services in the future
Open space and leisure
The availability of high-quality open space and arts and leisure opportunities are key indicators of the quality of life that a community enjoys. Planning for future provision is organised under a number of themes, including:
- Active Communities - by providing a range of facilities, including an aquatic centre, indoor exhibition space and a network of quality indoor sport facilities
- Culture and Heritage - by protecting reserves with cultural significance and development of the Tauranga museum
- Creative Expression - covering a range of suggested facilities and programmes for the arts, including Tauranga Art Gallery
- Water Recreation - by studying trends in recreational use of the Tauranga Harbour and actions to protect the quality of life of the marine environment
- Open Space - by protection of (and access to) a broad range of parks, reserves and open spaces.
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