From 29 October, Aucklanders will be asked to have their say on a strategy for the region’s southern rural area. The Southern Rural Strategy sets out how the area will accommodate a growing population, while enabling industries like farming and food production to thrive.
Councillor for Franklin ward, Andy Baker, chairs the political working group overseeing the development of the strategy.
“A lot of the food eaten around the country comes from the rural parts of south Auckland – the unique climate, soils and proximity to markets, airport and port see major growth in our under-glass and kiwifruit industries. We rely on these, and other vital industries found in this region, every day.”
“The Franklin area is growing and is expected to become home to another 100,000 people over the next 30 years. This is great news for our economy, and means we need a strategy to manage the valuable – and vulnerable – natural resources found here. People all over New Zealand enjoy the produce from this area, so, we need to get the balance right as we develop to maintain our horticultural and agricultural advantage.”
“Growth needs to be at the right place and right time, with infrastructure in place to support new development. We also need to develop employment at the same time as housing so people can live and work in the same locality. The best places for that are in our existing towns and villages.
Which areas does the strategy cover?
The strategy covers the full Franklin ward. It also includes some rural land from the Howick and Papakura local board areas.
Why do we need this strategy?
There are many different factors at play in Auckland’s southern rural area. The temperate climate and fertile soils make it ideal for rural production, one of New Zealand’s primary food production areas, and a significant contributor to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). It’s also an area where significant urban development is taking place to accommodate the increasing population.
The Southern Rural Strategy is being coordinated to manage each of these factors, to ensure they fit together in harmony. This will allow the area to be developed sustainably, as it needs to be, and ensure it continues to evolve as a key economic and environmental resource for the future.
Importantly, the strategy will reflect the views of communities in the area.
Where will growth happen in this area?
Drury, Opaheke, Pukekohe, Waiuku are identified as towns where the most growth will occur, mainly through in-fill development and expansion to future urban areas. Development has already started in some of these towns, supported by water infrastructure, roads, and are expected to have new railway stations from 2025.
Deputy chair of Auckland’s Policy and Planning Committee, Councillor Angela Dalton, also sits on the political steering group for development of the Southern Rural Strategy. She says it is anticipated that these areas will grow over the next 30 years.
“Drury and Pukekohe have long-term plans for how they will expand over time – so the communities that live here now have had a chance to say how they would like their towns to grow.”
“Importantly, the investment in infrastructure to support the growth happening in these towns is already planned through a mix of council budgets, government investments and development contributions.”
When can I have my say?
You will be able to have your say on the Southern Rural Strategy from Tuesday 29 October until Sunday 1 December 2024.
