Hamilton Plan

HAMILTON PLAN

Our plan to build a stronger economy and a more attractive city for families 2015 - 2025 Where we want to be:

1. Our books are balanced 2. The third city economy in New Zealand 3. Providing outstanding infrastructure 4. Strongly connected to the river 5. Best garden in the world 6. An active, strong commercial central city with distinctive suburban villages 7. An urban garden 8. Access to affordable housing 9. Celebrated for our arts and culture 10. Waikato is the capital of high performance sport

2 Introduction OUR PLAN FOR HAMILTON OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS

In 2014 Hamilton celebrated 150 years since Hamilton has been described as a teenager, The Hamilton Plan does not include all the European settlement was first established on about to enter adulthood. There is a sense detail; plans, policies and actions already the banks of the Waikato River. For hundreds of of confident maturity emerging and we are exist to support many of the ten priorities and years before, Maori recognised the value of this increasingly comfortable with our identity as an are being implemented. Some are still to be location, living along the river banks, cultivating economic leader and as a place people choose developed and other organisations have plans food and trading on the river. to live for its lifestyle. that support the priorities, for example the Tourism Opportunities Plan. Today, Hamilton is emerging as a New Zealand The Hamilton Plan is our vision for Hamilton’s success story. A city built on a strong economy, future and it’s a plan that will build a stronger Our measure of success is achieving our growing rich from the land around it. It’s fast economy and a more attractive city for families. ten priorities. growing, with a current population of around 158,000, providing services to over 380,000 The Council will focus on ten priorities over The Hamilton Plan is Hamilton’s blueprint for the people in the greater Waikato. the next ten years that will collectively redefine next decade to build a stronger economy and a Hamilton as a major New Zealand city. These more attractive city for families. Hamilton is home to many young people and priorities centre on building on the lifestyle and families and is one of the only places in New economy Hamilton already has, to maximise all Zealand that will continue to have future growth the opportunities. in its youth population.

3 Where we want to be: OUR BOOKS ARE BALANCED

This means: Where we are now The City operates a balanced budget every year. The Council delivers efficient and cost effective services that are consistent with the role of local government. • The current financial strategy 25 2009-19 2012-22 2015-25 balances the books 20 10YP 10YP 10YP 15 10 How we get there 5

$mil 0 -5 -10 Existing Plans and Policies New Plans and Policies -15 • 10 Year Plan and Annual Plan • Investment Strategy -20 • The Financial Strategy • Municipal Endowment Fund -25 • Development Contributions Policy 2011 2017 2013 2014 2012 2021 2018 2015 2016 2019 2010 2007 2023 2024 2022 2025 2020 2008 2009 • Partnership Funding Projects

4 Where we want to be: THE THIRD CITY ECONOMY IN NEW ZEALAND

This means: How we get there Hamilton moves from 4th to 3rd, in New Zealand’s city economy ranking. Hamilton is known as the capital of the central North Island/ Existing Plans and Policies New Plans and Projects Waikato, and the place for business, retail and entertainment. • Economic Development Agenda • Stage 2 Economic Development Agenda Hamilton is regarded as the place to invest and do business in. • District Plan • Waikato Expressway Where we are now • Central City Transformation Plan • Wairere Drive Ring Road • Transport Strategy • Mayor Events Strategy • River Plan • 30 Year Infrastructure Plan • Hamilton is the 4th largest city economy in New Zealand, behind Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington • Hamilton is the major city in the Waikato, providing key services including education and health, head offices and is the major entertainment and retail centre

5 Where we want to be: PROVIDING OUTSTANDING INFRASTRUCTURE

This means: Where we are now How we get there Infrastructure investment is preparing the city for growth for over 200,000 people. Hamilton has outstanding roads and major • The Government has invested $1.2 billion Existing Plans and Policies routes that connect the economic areas to fund the Waikato Expressway within the city, the Waikato, and to the rest • 30 Year Infrastructure Plan • Wairere Drive Ring Road will be completed of New Zealand. • Transport Strategy in 2019 Hamilton invests in a level of capital • Support for Ultra Fast Fibre • A shared approach to water infrastructure expenditure that ensures we have and water management is being investigated • Development Contributions Policy appropriate infrastructure to meet the • District Plan city’s future growth. • Hamilton is regarded as having the lowest risk of natural disaster in New Zealand • Biking Plan

New Plans and Projects • Waikato Expressway to be completed by 2019 • Wairere Drive Ring Road to be completed by 2019 • Southern Links

6 Inland Port New Zealand’s largest and most advanced inland port connecting 60% of all rail and road freight in New Zealand. $1.2 Billion Waikato Expressway Connecting Hamilton to Auckland and Tauranga by 2019. $84 Million Wairere Drive Ring Road contributing to 100% the most efficient city Ultra Fast Fibre roading infrastructure Rolled out to every in New Zealand. business and home. 30 Year Future Proofed Horizontal infrastructure: water, waste, power and ultra fast fibre.

7 Where we want to be: STRONGLY CONNECTED Pukete Pedestrian Whitiora Claudelands Cobham Proposed RIVER CORRIDOR & Services Bridge Pukete Bridge Fairfield Bridge Bridge Bridge Victoria Bridge Drive Bridge Road Link

Waikato River TO THE RIVER Reserve Central city Significant Maaori and Historic sites Existing river pathways Existing bridges This means: Where we are now Proposed Pedestrian Bridge zones At least five transformational projects from the River Plan Existing jetty access Possible future riverside connections are completed. Key pedestrian loops

Hamilton is known for the river and an activated river • The river runs the length of the city. It is a main feature, but under-utilised Access N Access Arts Recreation Development Natural Tourism edge, much like New Plymouth is known for its coastal Recreation environment

• Hamiltonians have wanted to see the river developed for a long time Access Arts Recreation Development Natural Tourism environment boardwalk and Auckland is known for the Viaduct. Development

Arts Recreation Development Natural Tourism • The River Plan is completed and implementation underway environment Natural Environment

Recreation Development Natural Tourism environment Arts & Culture

Access Arts Recreation Development Natural Tourism environment Tourism

Development Natural Tourism How we get there environment

Existing Plans and Policies New Plans and Projects • River Plan • Mayor Events Strategy • Central City Transformation Plan • Victoria on the River Development • Biking Plan PARKS AND SITES Braithwaite Park / Pukete Pa St Andrews Golf Course Days Park and CENTRAL CITY Hamilton East Hayes Paddock / Hamilton Gardens / Te Parapara Pa Swarbricks Landing Roose Commerce Par k Wellington Street Beach Ferrybank Access ArtsAccess RecreationArts DevelopmeRecreantiont NDatuevrelopmeal nt TourNismatural Tourism • District Plan Access ArAtsccess RecreationArtsAccess DevelopmeRecreantiontArts NDaetuvrelopmealR ecreantiont TourNismDatuevrelopmeal nt TourNismatural Tourism AccessAccessAccAessccessAccessAccess ArtsArtsArtsArtsArtsArtsRecRreecationrReecationRreecationRreecationrReecationreDaetionvDelopmeevelopmeDevDnelopmetevDnelopmetevelopmeDntevnelopmet ntNantuNtraaltu Nralatu Nraaltu Nraaltu Nralatu ralTou rTismourTismouTrismourTismourTismourism AccessAccess ArtsArtsAccess RecrReecationreationArts DevelopmeDevelopmeRecntreantiont NatuNrDalatue vrelopmeal nt TourTismourNismatural Tourism environment environment environment environment environment envieronmenvieronmenvinetronmenvinetronmenvinertonmenvintronment nt envieronmenvironment nt environment

Access ArtsAccess RecreationArtsAccess DevelopmeRecreantiontArts NDaetuvrelopmealR ecreantiont TourNismDatuevrelopmeal nt TourNismatural Tourism ArtsPost and Museum environment environment environment Access ArtsAccess RecreationArtsAccess DevelopmeRecreantiontArts NDaetuvrelopmealR ecreantiont TourNismDatuevrelopmeal nt TourNismatural Tourism • Open Spaces Plan Memorial Park and Parana Par k environment environment environment Opoia and Jesmond Par k • Hamilton East Neighbourhood Plan Victoria Bridge to Claudelands Brid ge • Hamilton Gardens Strategic Plan Claudelands Bridge to Fairfield Bridge

AccessAccessAccAessccessAccessAccess ArtsArtsArtsArtsArtsArtsRecRreecationrReecationRreecationRreecationrReecationreDaetionvDelopmeevelopmeDevDnelopmetevDnelopmetevelopmeDntevnelopmet ntNantuNtraaltu Nralatu Nraaltu Nraaltu Nralatu ralTou rTismourTismouTrismourTismourTismourism 8 envieronmenvieronmenvinetronmenvinetronmenvinertonmenvintronment nt

Artist’s impressions

Pukete Pedestrian Whitiora Claudelands Cobham Proposed RIVER CORRIDOR & Services Bridge Pukete Bridge Fairfield Bridge Bridge Bridge Victoria Bridge Drive Bridge Road Link

Waikato River Reserve Central city Significant Maaori and Historic sites Existing river pathways Existing bridges

Proposed Pedestrian Bridge zones

Existing jetty access

Possible future riverside connections Key pedestrian loops

Access N

Access Arts Recreation Development Natural Tourism Recreation environment

Access Arts Recreation Development Natural Tourism environment Development

Arts Recreation Development Natural Tourism environment Natural Environment

Recreation Development Natural Tourism environment Arts & Culture

Access Arts Recreation Development Natural Tourism environment Tourism

Development Natural Tourism environment

PARKS AND SITES Braithwaite Park / Pukete Pa St Andrews Golf Course Days Park and CENTRAL CITY Hamilton East Hayes Paddock / Hamilton Gardens / Te Parapara Pa Swarbricks Landing Roose Commerce Par k Wellington Street Beach Ferrybank Access ArAtsccess RecreationArtsAccess DevelopmeRecreantiontArts NDaetuvrelopmealR ecreantiont TourNismDatuevrelopmeal nt TourNismatural Tourism Access ArtsAccess RecreationArts DevelopmeRecreantiont NDatuevrelopmeal nt TourNismatural Tourism AccessAccess ArtsArtsAccess RecrReecationreationArts DevelopmeDevelopmeRecntreantiont NatuNrDalatue vrelopmeal nt TourTismourNismatural Tourism environment environment AccessAccessAccAessccessAccessAccess ArtsArtsArtsArtsArtsArtsRecRreecationrReecationRreecationRreecationrReecationreDaetionvDelopmeevelopmeDevDnelopmetevDnelopmetevelopmeDntevnelopmet ntNantuNtraaltu Nralatu Nraaltu Nraaltu Nralatu ralTou rTismourTismouTrismourTismourTismourism environment environment environment envieronmenvieronmenvinetronmenvinetronmenvinertonmenvintronment nt envieronmenvironment nt environment

Access ArtsAccess RecreationArtsAccess DevelopmeRecreantiontArts NDaetuvrelopmealR ecreantiont TourNismDatuevrelopmeal nt TourNismatural Tourism ArtsPost and Museum environment environment environment Access ArtsAccess RecreationArtsAccess DevelopmeRecreantiontArts NDaetuvrelopmealR ecreantiont TourNismDatuevrelopmeal nt TourNismatural Tourism Memorial Park and Parana Par k environment environment environment Opoia and Jesmond Par k Victoria Bridge to Claudelands Brid ge Claudelands Bridge to Fairfield Bridge

AccessAccessAccAessccessAccessAccess ArtsArtsArtsArtsArtsArtsRecRreecationrReecationRreecationRreecationrReecationreDaetionvDelopmeevelopmeDevDnelopmetevDnelopmetevelopmeDntevnelopmet ntNantuNtraaltu Nralatu Nraaltu Nraaltu Nralatu ralTou rTismourTismouTrismourTismourTismourism envieronmenvieronmenvinetronmenvinetronmenvinertonmenvintronment nt 9

10 Where we want to be:

This means: The Hamilton Gardens are completed in 10 years, consistent with the Hamilton BEST GARDEN Gardens vision. Hamilton Gardens are internationally recognised as a uniquely themed garden. IN THE WORLD More international visitors come to see the Hamilton Gardens.

Where we are now

• An outstanding and award winning garden known internationally • One of Waikato’s major attractions How we get there

Existing Plans and Policies • Hamilton Gardens Strategic Plan • River Plan

New Plans and Projects • Hamilton Gardens Project to complete five gardens and infrastructure in five years

11 12 Where we want to be: AN ACTIVE, STRONG COMMERCIAL CENTRAL CITY WITH DISTINCTIVE SUBURBAN VILLAGES

This means: Where we are now How we get there The central city has a strong commercial centre, is connected to the river and residential living is starting to grow. • The central city economy is growing after a Existing Plans and Policies New Plans and Projects period of static economic activity since 2008 Suburbs like Hamilton East and • Central City Transformation Plan • Stage 2 Economic • Renewed investment in the central city in Development Agenda Frankton have their own identity • River Plan and distinctiveness that makes the past five years with new buildings and • Victoria on the River Development • Hamilton East Plan them attractive for investment mall development and for people to live and visit. • Claudelands Event Centre is attracting • Frankton Neighbourhood Plan conferences and events • District Plan • Overnight stays growing • Transport Strategy • Office vacancies down in the central city • Economic Development Agenda • Heritage Plan • Safety Plan • Gateways Policy 13 Where we want to be: AN URBAN GARDEN

This means: Where we are now How we get there Hamilton is green; with parks, trees, beautiful gardens, and street plantings. Hamilton grows its proportion of green and • Hamilton is a very green city with tens open spaces. Existing Plans and Policies of thousands of trees and plants in • Open Spaces Plan Destination playgrounds have been streets and parks. We have many completed as planned and Hamilton is known parks, reserves, and major attractions • Hamilton Gardens Strategic Plan in New Zealand for amazing playgrounds. which provide quality greenspaces • Waiwhakareke Business Plan • Playgrounds of the Future Plan • Biking Plan

New Plans and Projects • Playgrounds are completed consistent with the Playgrounds of the Future Plan • Hamilton Gardens project to complete five Gardens in five years • Zoo Master Plan 14 15 Where we want to be: ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING This means: Where we are now How we get there Hamilton continues to provide a balanced supply of housing options to meet the city’s growth.

• Hamilton, overall, has lower house prices Existing Plans and Policies than other major New Zealand cities such • District Plan as Auckland and Tauranga, but the median house price has risen sharply over the past • Hamilton Urban Growth Strategy two years. Maintaining a range of housing • 30 Year Infrastructure Plan options is a priority and is challenging • Development Contributions Policy • Hamilton’s housing affordability index, used by the government is 5.1

$437,000 AKL HMN WLG CHC Hamilton median house price (June 2016 REINZ) 16 Where we want to be: CELEBRATED FOR OUR ARTS AND CULTURE Where we are now How we get there This means: Hamiltonians recognise the importance of art, music and culture in our everyday lives. • Art and the appreciation of its value is growing Existing Plans and Projects • We do not have a national profile for arts Hamilton is known for • Arts Agenda • Creative Waikato operates to support the having a strong arts culture. development of the creative sector • Regional Facilities Plan Audience engagement • Philanthropic groups like MESH and TOTI gift New Plans and Projects has increased. public art to Hamilton • Theatres Review completed and • Major Events Strategy being implemented • Rebuild Founders Theatre • Founders Theatre is closed Theatre and performance spaces (council and university owned) in the city can cater for Over 2,200 and Claudelands Events Centre can seat 38,000 24 objects in the city’s art and social history collections housed at the major pieces 6,000 Waikato Museum of public art across the city 17 Where we want to be: WAIKATO IS THE CAPITAL OF HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORT

Where we are now How we get there

This means:

Hamilton and Waipa are known International standard sport • Ruakura Chiefs Training Facility Existing Plans and Policies as the home of New Zealand’s facilities within Hamilton and • Avantidrome • Sports Waikato Regional high performance sport. surrounding the city, such as: • Lake Karapiro Sports Plan Hamilton has a commitment to • Waikato Stadium community sport. Waikato is holder of many New Plans and Policies • Seddon Park national and international Participation in organised and • Claudelands Event Centre championships and has a • Major Events Strategy recreational sport increases. • Waikato River strong sporting tradition • Subregional Sports Plan

Generates around international 62.7% $115m (pa) $447m (pa) standard venues in of people participate in an contribution to Hamilton contribution to 1,700 9 Hamilton and Waipa activity at least once a week economy GDP regional economy GDP jobs in Hamilton

18 19 VERSION 2, 2016

Office of Mayor Julie Hardaker and Office of the Chief Executive Email: [email protected] Phone: +64 7 838 6375

Find out more at: www.hamilton.co.nz