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