Paula Thompson BOP Regional Councillor www.envbop.govt.nz

I'm worried. I'm worried about the economic sustainability of Tauranga and particularly –employment. My worries aren't new – just re-sharpened by the impact of the global financial crisis.
Tauranga has enjoyed rapid and significant population growth during the last 15-20 years. The Western Bay of Plenty sub region has been the fastest provincial growth area in New Zealand at times during this period and we have basked in the glow of growth. But population growth fuelling a residential building boom does not-of-itself create a balanced and self-supporting present and future.
We are seen as a great lifestyle location and that much is true. But the relatively recent and significant population growth boom has whacked fair and square into the eye of the GFC storm – and in the slowly clearing conditions we can see that our city craft was not as all weather bulletproof as we might have imagined or hoped.

Growth slowing
With growth slowing quite markedly, our city is vulnerable and we will need to examine our basic design criteria to assure ourselves that we can weather the calm and the storms ahead. It is my opinion that we do need to ensure that economic development and sustainable employment are essential components of the basic design. Our craft going forward needs to be one whose design provides for careful and wise balance between environmental, economic and social wellness.
I need to acknowledge that a huge amount of work – past and present – is focused on economic prosperity and employment opportunity. The private sector of our city and sub region boast numerous examples of innovative and business best practice focused on contribution to economic well-being and provision of employment. Bay Connections, the Bay of Plenty regional economic development strategy, is industry led and will add enhancement and new economic impetus.

Social and economic development
Our regional economic development agencies and other public and business focused organisations are sharply focused on delivering increased measurable economic and employment advantages. The Tertiary Campus initiative for central Tauranga is right on the mark in terms of providing a springboard to have integrated intra and inter-regional tertiary education and research capacity which will underpin sound economic and social development. Who would have thought 20 years ago one of our greatest economic development zones would be under the sea and that we have the opportunity to benefit because of the tertiary research capacity – Ditto geothermal energy potential etcetera. Lots and lots on the go... but I'm still worried.

Looking out for the Bay
The worry is because we will need to take some further steps in our thinking of what we want our city to be and what we need to get balanced to provide for that. We will need to accept and expect that economic prosperity can be balanced with environmental sustainability and that both will contribute to a community that can provide well for its people – present and future.
We realise the Christchurch catastrophe is of mammoth proportions and that government dollars will be focused on the re-growth of our southern capital. We also realise Auckland is gearing to become a truly Super City and whilst we are in the so called ‘Golden Triangle' we will need to look out for ourselves. The Bay of Plenty – a relative fledgling growth region will need to back itself and create in Tauranga and the Bay a place that is utterly unique and in balance. We can do this. We should do this. The worry is worth it.

Please feel free to contact me to discuss any regional council issues phone 027 222 2419 or email paulathompson@xtra.co.nz