Auckland Councils urge public to have their say

Joint Media Release: Auckland Regional Council, Auckland City Council, Franklin District Council, Manukau City Council, North Shore City Council, Papakura District Council, Rodney District Council, waitakere City Council.

A10 September 2004

What do you want for the future of the Auckland region? How important is a clean and healthy environment? What about recreational opportunities and lifestyle choices? How much money should be spent on transport across the region?

These are some of the questions being asked by the seven local councils and the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) in a publication 'The Auckland Region - Working Together for a Better Future', which is being distributed to households across the region this week.

The region's eight councils are asking the wider community to provide comments and feedback as they undertake a review of key strategies that outline improvements to roads and public transport, and how we plan for the future of the region.

Councils throughout the region are at various stages of identifying community outcomes - these are all about what you want for yourself, your community and the wider region - now and in the future. All councils throughout New Zealand must identify these outcomes, which contribute to council planning and future activities.

The publication also outlines changes to the Regional Policy Statement and local District Plans, and a review of the Regional Land Transport Strategy, which are all required under the Local Government (Auckland) Amendment Act, passed earlier this year following the Government's $1.62 billion 'Investing for Growth' package.

The work being undertaken will: ·Build knowledge and understanding of what the wider regional community wants for the future ·Review what needs to be done to improve transport across the region ·Review some of the existing plans for managing growth in the region ·Better integrate transport and land-use throughout the region

This affects everyone who lives, works and plays in the Auckland region. All Aucklanders are encouraged to get involved and say what they think is important for them, their family and their community - now and in the future. To help make it easy for people to provide feedback, the publication includes a questionnaire which must be returned by 15 October (a freepost address is supplied). Feedback gathered through the questionnaire will build on consultation that many Auckland councils have already undertaken.

The Auckland Region - Working Together for a Better Future will be distributed to all households in the Auckland region during the week beginning 6 September. Copies will also be available from Council offices, libraries and Citizen Advice Bureau offices, and online at www.arc.govt.nz. More information is available online or phone 968 3254 (or 0508 968 7729 for those outside the Auckland free call area), or from your local council.

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About Community Outcomes Under the Local Government Act 2002 all councils in New Zealand must identify community outcomes - this is what the community wants for their area/region now and in the future.

Community outcomes are not just about transport, development and growth. They include health, safety, education and recreation - everything that makes our region a great place to live.

Feedback gathered as part of the community outcomes process will help shape what councils and other organisations do, and how they do it.

About the Regional Land Transport Strategy The Regional Land Transport Strategy sets the direction for major transport improvements over the next 10 years. It covers all types of transport including roading, public transport, cycling and walking.

The strategy must be reviewed to take into account the wider objectives on the New Zealand Transport Strategy as well as changes to the way transport is planned, funded, developed and delivered in the region under the Local Government (Auckland) Amendment Act which came into effect on 1 July 2004.

About the Regional Policy Statement and District Plans The Regional Policy Statement provides guidance for managing the effects of development on the region's natural and physical resources.

District Plans are prepared by local councils and provide details on how land, buildings, roads, services and amenities will be managed in that area. They are a guide for future development, what activities can take place and conditions that may apply. District Plans also outline any resource or planning consents needed for certain activities.

The Regional Policy Statement and district Plans must be updated to better support the existing strategy for managing growth throughout the region (The Regional Growth Strategy).

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