John Cronin BOP Regional Council Chairman www.envbop.govt.nz

This was a headline from an Auckland newspaper this week. The new Auckland Council has released its plan; its wish list to 'transform 'Auckland into a world class city.

The argument is based on the previous regional growth strategy designed to stop urban sprawl into the surrounding highly productive farmlands.

Those opposing, including some central government politicians, argue along these lines:
If you restrict growth around to be within an artificial urban line, then you force up land and housing costs and that is a serious impediment to providing affordable housing and the real dream of owning your own home.

We are no different here in Tauranga

Here we have our Smart Growth Strategy, that is just about to be reviewed, which is our local response to try to plan development in a responsible manner.

Like Auckland, we are trying to balance up the spread of subdivision to our fertile farm and orchard land, with the ability and community expectations that these new subdivisions will be provided with first class roading, transport linkages and sewage treatment etcetera, but in essence the argument is do you try to plan – do you allow unrestricted subdivision or is there a middle ground?

Growth pays for growth

The old adage was 'growth should pay for growth” – ie the developer pays for the infrastructure; roading, water, sewage connection to the treatment plant etcetera. But then is it reasonable for the developer to pay the lot if that development necessitates an upgrade to the existing infrastructure systems? And what if the developer goes into liquidation, such as The Lakes development.

The answer is then perhaps somewhere in the middle. That planning is necessary, but that such planning needs to be flexible, transparent and fair.

It is likely that the cost of the land purchased by the developers was too high and that the section market will take time to adjust.

Plans need to be achievable and affordable

We, the regional council and the councils in this region, have to ensure we take a balanced approach; that we don't just spread into our productive farm and orchard land, but that within our review of our visions – including Smart Growth review – provide an economic plan that allow cultural, economic and educational progress and find a way for affordable housing. Which does not result in a false price market.

Ten year plan

The 10 year plans are being prepared by all the councils now and the regional council's Regional Policy Statement, which will bind all councils, will be very important to setting policies going forward. The hearings of submissions to our RPS start on September 15.

The port of Tauranga

What a stunning result – and then the news that the second largest container line MSC will begin its Oceania service with Tauranga; its sole port of call in this country.

If you have a view on the above, I would be pleased to receive your comments.

I invite you to e-mail me johncronin@xtra .co.nz