Guiding principles adopted as district grows

Eight new principles will be used to guide growth in the Waipā District, with the population projected to grow by more than half over the next 50 years.

Mayor Mike Pettit said the growth principles, adopted by the Council at its June meeting, would help protect what people valued about Waipā.

The principles are:

• People at the heart of growth
• Reflecting place, culture, and identity
• Growing well in the right places
• Enabling homes, businesses, and jobs
• Using public investment wisely and staying financially sustainable
• Protecting the environment and reducing risk from natural hazards
• Being able to adapt as conditions change
• Growing through partnerships.

“Waipā, as one of the fastest growing districts in the country, is well positioned for growth. These new growth principles will help Council make clear, consistent and financially responsible decisions as the district continues to grow and attract more people and businesses,” Mayor Pettit said.

“The principles are about good decision making and put the community at the centre.”

New assessments presented to the Council found the district remained well placed to support projected residential and industrial growth. The district was on track to meet national growth targets, with no new urban growth areas needed for the next 30 years. The Council has planned well, invested at the right time, and is ready for the growth ahead.

Economic consultant Formative presented five industrial land demand scenarios. The Council adopted a high growth position following the development of industrial land across both the district and the region. It predicts growth in and around the airport, and regional transport improvements.

Growth in industrial related jobs in Cambridge rose from 760 in 2005 to nearly 2000 (163 percent) last year while Te Awamutu and Kihikihi saw jobs in the same sector grow from 550 to approximately 900 (63 percent).

Hamilton Airport and Titanium Park saw industrial related jobs grow from 430 in 2017 to 860 in 2023.

Up to 192 more hectares of industrial land will be required by 2055 to keep up with demand, Formative found. Of that total up to 77 more hectares will be needed for warehousing, 60 more hectares for manufacturing, and eight more hectares for transport and logistics to service the Golden Triangle formed by the Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions.

Planned growth cells will most likely meet the demand for 4400 new homes over the next 10 years and 14,500 between now and 2070, a housing market assessment completed by Market Economics Consulting found. The district currently has 24,100 homes.

Updated population projections from the University of Waikato showed the district’s population was expected to grow 53.6 percent by 2073, from 62,200 people to 95,500. The population is also ageing fast, with the proportion of residents aged 65 and over expected to increase from 19.2 percent in 2023 to 34.1 percent by 2053.

The assessments provide evidence to inform the Council’s growth strategy refresh and development of the 2027-37 Long Term Plan, supporting the delivery of well-planned communities and great places.