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About the strategy
The Southern Rural Strategy (SRS) sets out a 30-year plan to guide future growth and development in Auckland’s southern rural area.
It is the first sub-regional strategy in Auckland and follows the direction of our regional Future Development Strategy (FDS) for 2023 to 2053.
About the area
The southern rural area extends:
- from the Tasman Sea and Manukau Harbour in the west
- to the Hauraki Gulf and the Firth of Thames in the east.
It is bordered by:
- the urban area of Papakura and Auckland's eastern suburbs to the north
- the Waikato regional boundary to the south.
The area is going through major change. It is expected to account for around 15 per cent of Auckland’s population growth over the next 30 years.
The SRS looks at how we will meet future needs for housing, jobs, transport and the environment in this region.
Focus of the strategy
The SRS follows the same approach as the FDS. It mostly focuses on existing rural settlements A settlement is a group of homes and buildings where people live and work. as areas for future growth and development.
The SRS outlines:
- the future role and function of settlements
- how we will use land in rural areas outside these settlements, such as for farming, horticulture or forestry.
It aims to:
- ensure appropriate rural growth and development
- support resilience in rural areas and communities
- ensure infrastructure is efficient and benefits the whole Auckland region
- protect and improve the natural environment and soils
- support positive Māori outcomes.
How we will deliver the strategy
To deliver the strategy, we will:
- work with communities, mana whenua and local groups to:
- help them respond to the impacts of growth and climate change
- focus on those who are most at risk
- review rural aspects of the Auckland Unitary Plan and Auckland Design Manual
- investigate current design standards for rural roads.
How we will monitor the strategy
We will monitor the progress of the SRS as part of our annual monitoring report for the FDS.
