Aucklanders have embraced the council's early engagement on the Auckland Unitary Plan.
The draft plan, which will be released in March 2013 for region-wide informal public consultation, will cover:
- where we live - how we create more housing choice and more affordable homes
- where we work - how we help businesses to develop, grow and create more jobs
- what we value - how we protect our region’s environment, heritage and character.
Recently, Auckland Council has been using some innovative ways to hear people's opinions and get their input, before the draft is written, including:
- workshops held by local boards with more than 450 local stakeholders
- a Civic Forum attended by 60 randomly selected Aucklanders
- a Consultative Leaders Forum made up of over 70 community and industry representatives
- a two-week Online Forum, where hundreds of Aucklanders had their say
- region-wide workshops with iwi leaders, mana whenua (Māori with Auckland tribal affiliations) and specialist sectors.
"The forums have been great for finding out what most excites and concerns people," says Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse.
"People understand we need to plan for our growth - the issue is making sure growth happens in the right places and that we have great design to enhance our city.
"The best way to get an Auckland Unitary Plan that works for all of Auckland and helps us to create the world's most liveable city is to do it together with our communities.
"I urge Aucklanders to get involved."
The draft Auckland Unitary Plan will be available for public consultation from March until May 2013. The feedback will be processed and a final draft plan will be notified in September 2013.
Find out more and register your interest on the Unitary Plan.