Foundation Report 2021 This is a joint local government, central government and Iwi project and will deliver a 30 year spatial plan for the region with a list of projects and investment requirements. Wellington Regional Growth Framework | 1 Introduction Ka ora te wai If the water is healthy The process for developing the Framework included Significant investment in housing, urban development, Ka ora te whenua the land will be nourished developing and testing possible future scenarios for transport and three waters infrastructure and services the region over the next 30 to 100 years. It tested as well as regional and district planning and policy Ka ora te whenua If the land is nourished the need for significant infrastructure and other changes will be needed to support future growth Ka ora te tangata the people will be provided for investments and recommends a prioritised regional programme of work, reflected in a regional spatial Whilst the Framework is primarily a spatial plan that Mo te iti - mo te rahi For the little - for the large plan, that will require joint action and investment. describes a long-term vision for how the region will This Foundation Report provides background for the grow, change and respond to key urban development Framework and outlines the challenges that need to be challenges and opportunities, all of the above addressed regionally. challenges will need to be resolved for the future, not This is the Foundation Report for the Wellington just where and how to develop more housing. Regional Growth Framework (the Framework). The The region has an immediate issue relating to a lack document outlines the context for the development of of housing supply, a limited range of housing options These are regional issues that are best dealt with the Framework (a regional spatial plan) and identifies and declining housing affordability, particularly for first together and not individually. Many of these issues the key challenges for growth in the region. home buyers. cross local council boundaries (e.g. investment in water or transport), and maximum benefit can be For the purpose of the Framework and this Foundation Increasing numbers of vehicles on the roads, capacity had from planning and investing in these together Report the region includes the territorial authorities of and reliability issues associated with buses and trains and not individually and with central government Masterton, Carterton, South Wairarapa, Upper Hutt, and network resilience issues are straining the regional and mana whenua. This work on the Framework Lower Hutt, Wellington, Porirua, Kāpiti Coast and transport system and may not result in the necessary provides an opportunity to further build on established Horowhenua. This project is a collaboration between transport system shifts that we are seeking such as relationships and partnerships with mana whenua of these councils, the Greater Wellington Regional Council, improving safety and access, reducing emissions and the region. central government and mana whenua of the region. reducing reliance on private vehicle travel. This Foundation Report is a key milestone in the This report has been developed based on readily Other issues facing the region include projected sea Framework project. The project partners will continue available data. Some parts of this report do not have level rise, severity of weather events, environmental to work collectively and with other stakeholders on complete or consolidated information that extends stewardship pressure and natural hazards. All of which developing the Framework. to Horowhenua (as it may be based on the Greater are creating challenges as well as uncertainty. Wellington Regional Council area). Community infrastructure will also need more coordinated investment to accommodate growth including open spaces, community facilities, schools and health care facilities. Wellington Regional Growth Framework | 2 Contents Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 2 Challenge 2: Impacts of natural hazards and climate change, improving resilience and enhancing the natural environment 29 The Wellington Regional Growth Framework ........................................................... 4 Natural Hazards and Climate Change 29 What is the Wellington Regional Growth Framework? 4 Assets at Risk 30 Why are we developing a Wellington Regional Growth Framework? 5 Natural Environment 32 Who is developing the Wellington Regional Growth Framework? 6 Challenge 3: Inequitable access 34 Building on the Wellington Regional Investment Plan and links to current projects 7 Inequitable Access 34 Context ................................................................................................................................... 8 Access to Social Infrastructure 38 Tangata Whenua 8 Access to educational opportunities 39 Development of the Region 10 Challenge 4: Mana whenua and Māori access to affordable housing 40 The Region Today 11 Regional Profile 40 Our People 12 Why is poor access to housing a problem? 41 Our Housing 13 Housing development 41 Our Economy 15 Next Steps 42 Our Transport System 17 This Foundation Report 42 The Three Waters Infrastructure 20 Scenario Development 44 Our Environment, Natural Hazards and Climate Change 21 Shared Evidence Base – Technical Reports .............................................................45 Our Challenges ................................................................................................................... 23 Glossary ...............................................................................................................................47 Challenge 1: Lack of sufficient and affordable housing supply and choice, investment needed in infrastructure 24 Housing – Affordability, Supply and Choice 24 Enabling Three Waters Infrastructure 27 Enabling Transport Infrastructure 28 Wellington Regional Growth Framework | 3 The Wellington Regional Growth Framework What is the Wellington Regional Growth Framework? The Wellington Regional Growth Framework (the resilience and natural hazards. It seeks to reflect the The phases of the Framework are shown below. Framework) is a spatial plan that describes a long- housing and urban development aspirations of mana term vision for how the region will grow, change and whenua in the region. This Foundation Report completes the end of Phase respond to key urban development challenges and 1 of the project. It sets out our regional context, our opportunities in a way that gets the best outcomes and It draws on and incorporates the local and regional initial evidence base using existing data sources, our maximises the benefits across the region. planning and engagement work on growth that has been regional challenges, and presents the case for change. undertaken already and is aligned with the Transport It develops and tests possible future scenarios for the Outcomes Framework and Government Policy Statement Treaty of Waitangi obligations are upheld by the region over the next 30 to 100 years. It tests the need on Land Transport Funding, the National Policy Framework. Active engagement and collaboration between for significant infrastructure and other investments and Statements on Urban Development and Freshwater project partners has been central to the development recommends a prioritised regional programme of work Management, the proposed National Policy Statements of the Framework. This includes a commitment to that will require joint action and investment. on Highly Productive Land and Biodiversity and the actively engage with mana whenua in good faith and Governments’ Urban Growth Agenda. with a commonality of purpose. The Framework seeks The Framework identifies where areas for housing, to reflect mana whenua perspectives and recognises public transport and roads, three waters infrastructure Central Government, councils from the region and mana the special relationship that tangata whenua have with (stormwater, wastewater and drinking water), whenua have worked together to develop the Framework the environment and their role as kaitiaki. businessesDiagram and 1: jobs, Phases are recommended of Wellington in the Regional context Growthand build an enduring regional growth partnership. of issuesFramework such as housing affordability, climate change, Diagram 1: Phases of Wellington Regional Growth Framework PHASE 4 PHASE 1 PHASE 2 PHASE 3 Finalise Develop Develop Develop Growth Foundation draft Growth Options Framework for Report Framework Report consultation Wellington Regional Growth FrameworkPHASE 4 | 4 PHASE 1 PHASE 2 PHASE 3 Finalise Develop Develop Develop Growth Foundation draft Growth Options Framework for Report Framework Report consultation Why are We Developing a Wellington Regional Growth Framework? The region is growing faster than it has done for many Community infrastructure will also need more the regional outcomes of Māori as Treaty partners. The decades and is facing immediate and longer-term coordinated investment to accommodate growth Framework is committed to working with hapū and iwi housing supply and affordability, urban development including in open spaces, community facilities, schools on the development of the spatial plan, following an and infrastructure challenges. and health care facilities. established kaupapa and recognising tangata whenua aspirations within the region. The immediate issues relate to a lack of housing All these challenges collectively