Mahere Umanga Tāmaki ki te Rāwhiti East Tāmaki Business Precinct Plan

Based on the feedback received, the East Tamaki Business Precinct Plan was submitted to both the Howick and Otara-Papatoetoe Local Boards for approval, and to the Regional Development and Operations Committee.

The plan was adopted in December 2012.

Following publication of the plan, its key land use ideas were incorporated into the Auckland Unitary Plan which is now Operative in part.

A mix of light industrial and heavy industrial zones apply to East Tāmaki land to provide for a range of industrial activities, and employment.

Specific policies apply to land in the Highbrook area to enable low-impact technology businesses and offices to group together in a low-intensity, park-like environment.

East Tāmaki is one of a number of key business areas across the region that has the potential to support increased employment of workers, customers and goods.

Located in south-east Auckland, the precinct contributes 4.5 per cent to the region's total employment.

It is a dynamic and highly successful production and export zone with concentrations of activity in:

• manufacturing
• wholesale
• administrative and support services
• professional, scientific and technical services.

With over 27,500 employees, East Tāmaki has experienced 61 per cent growth between 2000 and 2010.

Growth within the precinct has been driven by greenfield development, location, and access to strategic infrastructure such as the motorway, port and airport.

With increasing pressures from alternative land uses and the limited availability of land for future expansion, there is a need to plan how the precinct will evolve to ensure its ongoing regional and national competitiveness as a business location.

Throughout June 2012, we sought feedback from local businesses, property owners and other key stakeholders on a draft East Tāmaki Business Precinct Plan.

Consultation events included:

• a public open evening hosted by BNZ
• a business showcase event for local businesses hosted by the Greater East Tamaki Business Association
• a series of face-to-face discussions between key stakeholders and council staff.

A range of stakeholders provided feedback on the draft Precinct Plan. We would like to thank everyone who contributed.

To summarise the feedback:

• general support was given for the draft precinct plan and its overall direction and content
• the precinct plan should include actions to enforce against non-complying and un-consented activities within East Tāmaki
• businesses should work in partnership to share resources and to introduce sustainable business practices across the precinct
• businesses should work closely with education providers to shape course content to meet skill demands and raise awareness of the employment opportunities within East Tāmaki
• an Implementation Plan should accompany the adopted version of the Precinct Plan, setting out the detailed tasks required to advance the outcomes identified in the plan and identify those agencies leading these tasks.