SmarterGrowth

SmarterGrowth Principles & Outcomes

Smarter Growth Bay of Plenty advocates for growth that strengthens communities, protects and restores the natural environment, improves resilience, and creates a prosperous and sustainable future for current and future generations

Principles

1. Long-Term Stewardship

Decisions should prioritise the wellbeing of future generations and recognise that today’s choices shape the environmental, social, cultural and financial legacy of the region. Growth should enhance community wellbeing, protect natural resources, and ensure that public investment creates long-term value rather than long-term liabilities.

 2. Mana Whenua Leadership

The future of the Bay of Plenty should be shaped through genuine leadership by mana whenua, in partnership with the rest of the region. Decision-making should recognise Te Tiriti o Waitangi, uphold the role of kaitiaki, respect mātauranga Māori, and protect the cultural, historical and environmental values that contribute to the identity and wellbeing of the region.

3. Resilience

Communities, infrastructure, economies and ecosystems should be planned and managed to withstand, adapt to and recover from environmental, social and economic change. Building resilience requires anticipating future risks and investing in solutions that strengthen the region over the long term.

4. Equity and Wellbeing

Growth should improve quality of life and create opportunities for all people and communities. Decisions should contribute to healthy, inclusive and connected communities, improve access to employment, education, recreation and services, and ensure that the benefits of growth are shared fairly across the region.

5. Integration

Land use, transport, infrastructure, environmental management and economic development should be planned together rather than in isolation. Integrated planning recognises the interconnected nature of regional systems and seeks solutions that deliver multiple benefits across environmental, social, cultural and economic outcomes.

6. Evidence-Based Accountability

Public investment and policy decisions should be informed by evidence, guided by measurable outcomes and subject to transparent reporting. The Regional Deal should establish clear objectives, monitor progress and remain accountable to the communities it serves.

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Objectives

1. Compact and Connected Communities

Growth should prioritise compact, connected and complete communities that enable people to live closer to jobs, education, services and recreation. Compact urban form supports public transport, walking and cycling, reduces emissions, lowers infrastructure costs, improves the long-term affordability of council services for ratepayers, protects productive land and natural environments, and creates more vibrant and resilient communities.

Key outcomes include:

• Growth focused within existing urban areas before expansion into greenfield land.
• Protection of productive land and native ecosystems from unnecessary urban sprawl.
• Mixed-use communities with access to employment, education and services.
• Public transport-supportive urban form.
• Safe and attractive walking and cycling networks.
• Efficient infrastructure investment and reduced long-term maintenance costs.
• Reduced congestion and transport emissions.
• Growth patterns that improve the long-term financial sustainability of councils and reduce future burdens on ratepayers

2. Protect and Restore Nature and Water

The natural environment is a defining asset of the Bay of Plenty and should be protected, restored and enhanced through all growth and infrastructure decisions. Healthy ecosystems support biodiversity, cultural values, community wellbeing, economic prosperity and resilience to environmental change.

Key outcomes include:

• Restoration and protection of rivers, streams, wetlands, estuaries, coastal ecosystems and harbours.
• Protection and enhancement of indigenous biodiversity.
• Recognition and restoration of ecological corridors and habitat connections.
• Protection of regionally significant coastal environments, natural landscapes and surf breaks.
• Improved freshwater and coastal water quality.
• Mana whenua-led environmental restoration and stewardship initiatives.

3. Climate Resilience

Communities and infrastructure should be planned and designed to adapt to the impacts of climate change and increasing natural hazards. Growth should occur in locations that reduce risk and support the long-term resilience of communities, infrastructure networks and natural systems.

Key outcomes include:

• Avoidance of development in areas exposed to significant natural hazards.
• Climate adaptation planning incorporated into growth and infrastructure decisions.
• Increased resilience to flooding, coastal inundation, erosion, drought and extreme weather events.
• Nature-based solutions that improve environmental and resilience outcomes.
• Infrastructure systems capable of adapting to future climate conditions.
• Strategic retreat, hazard mitigation and adaptation responses considered where appropriate.

4. Quality Places and Healthy Environments

Growth should create attractive, healthy and distinctive places that people are proud to live in, work in and visit. Successful places support community wellbeing, foster social connection, reflect local identity and culture, provide access to quality public spaces and amenities, and ensure that activities are located in places that are appropriate to their function and effects.

Key outcomes include:

• Well-designed town centres and neighbourhoods.
• High-quality public spaces, parks and community facilities.
• Housing and development that contribute positively to the surrounding environment.
• Places that are accessible, inclusive and welcoming for people of all ages and abilities.
• Recognition and celebration of local history, culture and identity.
• Vibrant centres that support community life and economic activity.
• Land use patterns that minimise conflicts between residential, industrial, commercial and recreational activities.
• Protection of communities from avoidable noise, air pollution and other adverse environmental effects.
• Protection of strategic industrial and employment land while ensuring environmental and health impacts are appropriately managed.
• Improved air quality and reduced exposure to harmful pollutants.