Waipa 2050, Council’s project that plans for the long term future of the District, has made significant progress in 2008.
This year the focus has been on the District’s Growth Strategy – what the future will be like and how it will look. Three scenarios were offered for managing future growth trends and then feedback was sought as to which one the community thought would offer the best and most successful future for the Waipa District. Over 40 submissions were received, offering valuable comments and ideas, and Council also held an evaluation workshop to explore the scenarios in more detail.
From the feedback received there was a strong preference for Scenario 2 – managing growth to urban areas. Council is currently using this feedback to develop a preferred growth scenario which will be incorporated into a draft District Growth Strategy.
Waipa 2050 Project Manager, Fiona Hill says the draft strategy will describe a way forward for the future.
“It proposes ways to address future challenges, identifies areas for future growth and ways for the scenarios to be implemented. The draft strategy will be aligned with the direction of the wider regional growth strategy (Future Proof) and then will be open for submissions in March and April 2009”.
Next year is set to be very busy for the project, as well as consultation and adoption of the growth strategy, town concept plans for Te Awamutu, Cambridge and Pirongia will be developed that define their important features and characteristics.
An Environmental Strategy is also planned which will assess the ways in which the District can respond to future environmental challenges. These components along with the District Growth Strategy will provide key directions for the District Plan review, to occur mid to late 2009.
More information on key dates, milestones and opportunities to be involved will be available next year, for further information on the project, growth scenarios and key components, go to www.waipa2050.co.nz
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