The Auckland Region in general, and Franklin in particular, are experiencing pressures related to the demand for business land. In order to help ensure that there is enough business land in Franklin over the next 30 years, FDC has rezoned about 75 hectares of land at Tuakau for business activities. In addition we have notified the proposed rezoning of about 67 hectares of land in Waiuku for business activities. Three appeals were lodged in relation to the proposal and these are currently being progressed.

An area of about 75 hectares at Paerata is currently being investigated as possible future business land.

 
FDC wants to be in a position to manage the location and nature of business development so that the new business areas develop into assets for the District and for the Region. In order to help achieve this, new land-management provisions have been drafted for the Franklin District Plan. Two new business zones,  the Industrial Zone (IZ) and the Industrial Services Zone (ISZ), have been introduced into the Franklin District Plan.

 
The purpose of the IZ is to provide for manufacturing, processing, assembling, storage, distribution and wholesale activities. The purpose of the ISZ is to provide for businesses that support the activities of the IZ, and also to provide for small-scale manufacturing, processing, assembling, storage, distribution and wholesale activities.

In addition to the above, the business areas should be visually appealing and should promote health and safety. Consequently, the following are addressed by the new District Plan provisions:

• external appearance of buildings
• landscaping 
•  “design-out-crime”
• open space network
• connections between roads, walkways and cycle ways
• efficient and safe movement of vehicles.