But I'm not sure I like some of what I see, or maybe I'm just confused by it.
Auckland Council has been considering the Auckland CBD Masterplan (which - by the way, I think should be moving to something more like "Central Activity District", rather than "Engine Room"... how post-industrial....). This seems to have been an opportunity to release tit-bits about the Waterfront Masterplan as well as bits and pieces from the Auckland Plan.
Amongst which is The Southern Initiative. Unclear exactly what this is, but apparently it will tackle social and economic disadvantage and need.
And then in the next breath we learn there are 7 growth areas, aas well as the CBD area, and these are prioritised this way:
It would be great to see a bit of a rationale for this prioritisation. On first glance it's like a bit of something for everybody - rather than a genuine prioritisation.
But the bit that's a real worry is the inclusion of Pukekohe and Warkworth. These are both outside the MUL. I can't speak much of Pukekohe - but I do know a little about Warkworth. Not only is it outside the MUL - the Metropolitan Urban Limit - it is beyond the end of Alpurt B2 - the new Northern motorway. In fact it's slap bang on the proposed route of Minister of Transport's "holiday highway".
If I was him I'd be pinching myself a little. "what's going on here, don't tell me theat Auckland Council is giving me another reason to support the motorway extension..."
Because that's what a growth strategy for Warkworth will require. Roads. Transport. It's like Auckland Council knowingly intends pricking its own MUL strategy.
I could understand a growth strategy for Orewa, or even Silverdale. Both on good state highways, and even got the Northern Busway running up there now.
But not Warkworth.
Haven't we learned from Helensville? There the Auckland Regional Council experimented with rail. Did that promote growth up there? Don't think so. Misconceived. Just as Warkworth is misconceived.
