Greg Innes: Taking positives from plan rejection

The Hatea Loop has attracted a wide range of visitors.

The Environment Court Decision to disallow a District Plan Change, that would have let the Old Boys Rugby Ground and other parts of Okara be developed into a Bulk Format Retail Environment (big box retail park), may have many unexpected and positive outcomes.

It is important to look at why the plan change was rejected and why it was considered in the first place. On reflection, using the Okara Area as a bulk retail shopping centre evolved from the permissive zoning of the Glass Works. While this may have been the right thing to do at the time, things change and move on. To be successful, practical planning for the central area needs to lead not follow.

I've spent a lot of time since the decision was released thinking about this and what our immediate considerations should be.

We need to have a positive approach, and look forward, to develop the central area of Whangarei into a vibrant and thriving place.

Looking at the money that has been spent, it's important to note a good portion of it related to planning of the area/landscape and that can, and will, be carried forward into new solutions for the area. Other options can now be considered in addition to recreation, such as residential development.

Council is now reviewing our business zoning and part of that includes developing the Inner City Development Plan to guide future development for the area.

If we look at specific details in our District Plan, Chapter 6 "Guidance for business development" and Chapter 15 "Guidance for open space/recreation" both need to be updated to better reflect Whangarei's growth. Our district has grown from 81,200 in 2010 to 85,900 in 2015 and it is forecast to grow to 89,230 in 2020.

The Whangarei District Plan needs to provide an integrated vision, so when Plan Changes are made and infrastructure projects are being developed, they are in context of what we want to achieve for Whangarei as a whole.

Whangarei as a city needs to embrace new planning techniques which incorporate design, the management of council properties, and infrastructure moving beyond just relying on regulation.

We also need to build on our successes. The Hatea Loop has been very successful in terms of attracting a wide range of residents and visitors walking, running or cycling the loop.

It provides vantage points that enable different perspectives of Whangarei in the upper catchment of a harbour surrounded by hills with a strong Maori/cultural history.

The recently opened Laneway project that extends the Cameron St Mall through into James St is bringing people into the central area with retailers engaging and embracing its potential and getting involved. We see them taking ownership of how it can be further enhanced as an attractive place to attract residents.

The Growers Market provides a point of difference and social interaction.

The 20/20 Momentum Project places the pieces together and looks at stronger diversification and vibrancy.

We need to recognise international trends for central areas of cities that are becoming more diversified and having increased inner city living and cultural components.

We also need to continue to use strong design to convey a point of difference that reflects our natural and cultural environment.

So we must look forward.

We are well placed to take advantage of the halo effect from Auckland - to make it happen we need to push on in a positive manner, reflect on what we do, to provide strong direction and to ensure we have community and investor buy-in.

If we do this we will heighten the experience of Whangarei as the northern east coast city that is inviting to people to live, work, play, visit and invest.