A 30-year vision for the future of Waiheke Island and the other inner Hauraki Gulf islands is being progressed in a draft area plan.
Led by the Waiheke Local Board, the Waiheke Area Plan will provide the long-term strategic direction that will help implement the Auckland Plan at a local level, and reflect local aspirations taking into account community ideas and values.
Ratepayers, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to give feedback on the draft plan during public engagement in March-April 2019.
A newsletter explaining the plan in more detail will be delivered to all Waiheke households this month, with distribution also going to property owners who live off the island.
"The plan focuses on many of the things that define the character of the island, like its built environment, natural environment, water quality, and business and job opportunities, so it’s critical local voices are heard during public engagement in March-April next year,” Board chair Cath Handley says.
In the meantime, preliminary work building a picture of what the area will look like in the future will bring together previous studies and plans, including Essentially Waiheke Refresh 2016 (a community-led plan).
Knowledge of current and future projects and fresh ideas for improvements to the area will also be used.
The area plan will focus on such key local matters as tourism and the character of Waiheke Island and its villages, freshwater and coastal water quality, roading, wastewater, localised flooding, and the natural environment.
Also addressed in the plan will be historic heritage and archaeology, transport, cultural values, village growth and housing, local business and job opportunities, parks and community facilities.
Find out more
More information about the Waiheke Area Plan is available on the Auckland Council website.
You can keep up to date by adding your details to the planning mailing list by emailing waihekeareaplan@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
“I’d encourage anyone who wants to be kept informed to add their details to the planning team’s mailing list,” Ms Handley says.
A draft for public consultation will be released in March.
