Hearings on regional plan begin

Auckland Mayor Len Brown. Photo / Doug Sherring

Auckland Council members have started hearings and debates on the draft Auckland Plan, which has drawn 1700 views on how the region should grow and develop in the next 30 years.

Because of the number of submissions on the 254-page document, councillors will form two panels to hear all who want to make a formal presentation of 10 to 30 minutes.

As well, councillors will deal with 100 submitters a day who choose to attend forums at the Auckland Town Hall. The hall will have a dozen tables, each assigned to a plan topic and with seats for 13, including a councillor, a monitor and a record taker.

The council yesterday agreed to hold additional formal hearings during this month and the next, including at night and on Saturdays if necessary.

An earlier deadline of January 20 for the council to have made deliberations and decisions on the draft plan was extended to February.

Councillors will also consider 80 submissions on the regional economic development strategy, 200 on the city centre master plan and 660 on the waterfront plan.

Mr Brown said Aucklanders had shown enthusiasm for the draft plan and supporting proposals, and their input was essential in developing Auckland as one of the world's most liveable cities.

The council will this week hear the submissions of the 21 local boards, and next week the chief executives of seven council-controlled organisations will have their say.

Only a quarter of submitters who want a hearing are presenting personal views. Company views make up two-thirds of presentations.