The Eastern Bay of Plenty is experiencing consistent annual population and economic growth and requires an integrated spatial plan to support and guide future planning and investment decisions. To enable this, the Whakatāne, Kawerau and Ōpōtiki district councils are working with several project partners comprising of mana whenua representatives, government departments and the regional council to prepare a spatial plan.
The spatial plan will provide strategic direction based on shared outcomes that recognise spatial differences, constraints and opportunities from a four wellbeing's approach (economic, social, cultural and environmental). In doing so, the Spatial Plan will enable growth and development in the Whakatāne, Kawerau and Opotiki districts.
Spatial and strategic planning is a core part of current resource management reform with a Spatial Planning Act (SPA) expected to be introduced to Parliament in the second half of 2022. Development of a spatial plan will help position the Whakatane and Kawerau Districts in the development of a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) as well as informing Councils’ next Long Term Plans and Infrastructure Strategies, the Three Waters Reform and central government investment priorities and planning.
Background documents
- Whakatāne-Kawerau Spatial Plan Foundation Paper - Summary - (PDF, 754 KB)
- Foundation Paper - Economy and Jobs - (PDF, 1.2 MB)
- Foundation Paper - Housing and Land - (PDF, 843 KB)
- Foundation Paper - Infrastructure - (PDF, 1.5 MB)
- Foundation Paper - People and Communities - (PDF, 990 KB)