Population boom: Councils release strategies for how Western Bay of Plenty will cope

How intensification might happen over time in an area within a 5-15 minute walk of a town centre in Tauranga. Graphic/Arkhefield + Urbis via Tauranga City Council

Public feedback is being sought on two strategies that define how the Western Bay of Plenty will cope with an expected population increase of 66,000 people over the next 30 years.

Both the Tauranga Urban Strategy, produced by Tauranga City Council, and SmartGrowth's proposed Future Development Strategy run to more than 60 pages and represent years of work by planners.

The urban strategy deals with how Tauranga will cope with an expected population boom of 50,000 people by 2050.

It details the council's plan for intensifying - increasing the number of dwellings in existing suburbs - the city's housing to avoid urban sprawl and get more people living near service centres and on public transport routes.

The Te Papa Peninsula - the area between the Harbour Bridge and Greerton and including the CBD - has been identified as first in line for change.

New houses would be smaller, more affordable and better suited to an ageing population.

There is also information about investment in infrastructure, facilities, services, amenities, streetscape and urban design in and around town centres.

The Future Development Strategy, required by the Government and produced in collaboration between the Western Bay's three councils and tangata whenua, takes a wider view, setting goals for how the Western Bay subregion will not only build the necessary 43,000 houses but the transport systems and infrastructure to match.

On transport, the document acknowledges all parties involved need to work together better.

Public consultation on both documents is open until November 5.

Read the documents and give feedback on the council's website.

There are online feedback forms and plans for public information sessions in Te Puke, Katikati, Tauranga and Papamoa.

Public information sessions

- Settlers' Lounge Te Puke War Memorial Hall, Wednesday October 17, 5pm-7pm.
- Uretara Room, The Centre Pātuki Manawa, Katikati, Thursday October 18, 5pm-7pm.
- Western Bay Chambers, Barkes Corner, Tuesday October 23, from 5pm-7pm.
- Aihe Room, Papamoa Library, Thursday, October 25, 5pm-7pm.
- Tauranga City Council, Wednesday October 31, 5pm-7pm.