Strategy development was framed by the need to achieve national goals as the district develops, particularly those set out in Part 2 of the Resource Management Act 1991. These purposes are already embodied in the Operative District Plan but are further developed in the DGS. For example, while short term economics may challenge the
viability of some land uses, the strategy rejects the notion that valuable resources, such as the District’s highly versatile soils, should therefore be lost to productive use in the future through subdivision unless there is an over-riding imperative. While soil quality may be less of a factor of production than at some times in the past, it is prudent to protect the inherent productivity of versatile soils in the face of long term global uncertainties (including the effects of the transition from reliance on petroleum for transport fuels).

The strategy also takes a precautionary approach to natural hazards seeking to ensure that people and infrastructure are not unreasonably placed at risk of an increased frequency of extreme events and sea level rise.

A central theme of national and regional policies and plans is the containment and intensifi cation of urban development. A wide range of scenarios, with radically differing degrees of concentration of development, were tested to determine which best met the community outcomes in preparing the strategy.

The preferred strategy meets the Regional and District intention to contain and intensify urban development and enhance transport networks by concentrating most of the growth within the existing urban boundaries of Pukekohe, Waiuku and Tuakau. At the same time, it meets lifestyle aspirations by providing for a broad range of living environments in appropriate locations, and allows for new development in selected places where there are specific opportunities. These include provision for countryside and coastal living in defi ned locations, while limiting subdivision elsewhere. For example, part of the demand for coastal living is met in the strategy is by growing and merging Clarks Beach and Waiau Beach into a single settlement. Similarly, opportunities for rural living are provided in villages and hamlets, in areas where there are already lifestyle blocks, such as Hunua, and in a new countryside living zone at Paerata.

The strategy also includes growth nodes at Pokeno and Kingseat. Pokeno has been identified as a future growth area, building on the existing village for additional housing, and land adjacent to the consented quarry for future industrial land. Pokeno is strategically located adjacent to the motorway with good road and rail links. Kingseat provides an opportunity to grow a small existing residential hamlet and centralise facilities to serve the northern rural area, including sportsfields, community services, equine and community facilities.

The strategy combines the allocation of growth between settlements with the enhancement of development within them. It sets out where growth should occur and its staging under the three themes of “live”, “work”, and “play”. In doing so it applies principles derived from the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol (to which the Council
was an inaugural signatory) with “SMART Growth” and “Liveable Neighbourhoods” concepts to the design of Franklin’s settlements.

The main themes of the settlement strategy are the provision for future needs, including public infrastructure and business land; infl uencing the type of development to encourage mixed use, mixed densities, housing choice and well defi ned urban boundaries; and improving standards of design, including pedestrian, cycling and public
transport access, road connections, and aesthetics.

The strategy also identifies a range of district-wide and local actions needed for implementation. These include participation in regional initiatives, joint action with other stakeholders, and local measures including changes to the District Plan.

Strategy development was framed by the need to achieve national goals as the district develops, particularly those set out in Part 2 of the Resource Management Act 1991. These purposes are already embodied in the Operative District Plan but are further developed in the DGS. For example, while short term economics may challenge the
viability of some land uses, the strategy rejects the notion that valuable resources, such as the District’s highly versatile soils, should therefore be lost to productive use in the future through subdivision unless there is an over-riding imperative. While soil quality may be less of a factor of production than at some times in the past, it is prudent to protect the inherent productivity of versatile soils in the face of long term global uncertainties (including the effects of the transition from reliance on petroleum for transport fuels).

The strategy also takes a precautionary approach to natural hazards seeking to ensure that people and infrastructure are not unreasonably placed at risk of an increased frequency of extreme events and sea level rise.

A central theme of national and regional policies and plans is the containment and intensifi cation of urban development. A wide range of scenarios, with radically differing degrees of concentration of development, were tested to determine which best met the community outcomes in preparing the strategy.

The preferred strategy meets the Regional and District intention to contain and intensify urban development and enhance transport networks by concentrating most of the growth within the existing urban boundaries of Pukekohe, Waiuku and Tuakau. At the same time, it meets lifestyle aspirations by providing for a broad range of living environments in appropriate locations, and allows for new development in selected places where there are specific opportunities. These include provision for countryside and coastal living in defi ned locations, while limiting subdivision elsewhere. For example, part of the demand for coastal living is met in the strategy is by growing and merging Clarks Beach and Waiau Beach into a single settlement. Similarly, opportunities for rural living are provided in villages and hamlets, in areas where there are already lifestyle blocks, such as Hunua, and in a new countryside living zone at Paerata.

The strategy also includes growth nodes at Pokeno and Kingseat. Pokeno has been identified as a future growth area, building on the existing village for additional housing, and land adjacent to the consented quarry for future industrial land. Pokeno is strategically located adjacent to the motorway with good road and rail links. Kingseat provides an opportunity to grow a small existing residential hamlet and centralise facilities to serve the northern rural area, including sportsfields, community services, equine and community facilities.

The strategy combines the allocation of growth between settlements with the enhancement of development within them. It sets out where growth should occur and its staging under the three themes of “live”, “work”, and “play”. In doing so it applies principles derived from the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol (to which the Council
was an inaugural signatory) with “SMART Growth” and “Liveable Neighbourhoods” concepts to the design of Franklin’s settlements.

The main themes of the settlement strategy are the provision for future needs, including public infrastructure and business land; infl uencing the type of development to encourage mixed use, mixed densities, housing choice and well defi ned urban boundaries; and improving standards of design, including pedestrian, cycling and public
transport access, road connections, and aesthetics.

The strategy also identifies a range of district-wide and local actions needed for implementation. These include participation in regional initiatives, joint action with other stakeholders, and local measures including changes to the District Plan.