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Auckland spatial plan needs to deliver certainty
22 March 2011
Media Release: Auckland spatial plan needs to deliver certainty for developers and the environment
EDS welcomes tomorrow's release of the vision for the Auckland spatial plan.
"The spatial plan is an excellent opportunity to provide greater certainty for both developers and the environment," said EDS Chairman Gary Taylor.
"It can achieve this by clearly identifying areas where future development can occur and areas where conservation and open-space values will have priority.
"EDS does not concur with the government's view, as expressed in recently released cabinet papers, that development should be given free reign to expand into greenfields areas. This is a recipe for urban and coastal sprawl, loss of amenity and biodiversity, and worsening traffic congestion and pollution.
"Such an unconstrained development model is characteristic of third world cities and not a hallmark of cities with a high quality of life to which Auckland aspires.
"EDS is looking for clear delineation and protection of high value landscapes, undeveloped coastal areas and areas of importance to biodiversity conservation.
"The spatial plan needs to recognise and protect the region's diverse and threatened biodiversity, both plants and animals. These include the most highly threatened marine dolphin in the world, the Maui's dolphin.
"In addition, the spatial plan needs to protect Auckland's open space, particularly remaining undeveloped areas along the coastline.
"We are also looking for greater sophistication around spatial planning for the coastal marine area.
"The marine area makes up more than two thirds of the Auckland region and is a major contributor to quality of life in Auckland and to the city's attractiveness to tourists. It needs to be managed carefully to avoid conflict," said Gary Taylor.
Click here to view the cabinet papers on EDS's website.
ENDS
Environmental Defence Society
EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.
Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand
through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non-
profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.
EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It
operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together
the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.
EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental
Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.
EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.
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