What are these assessments telling us about Te Tumu?
These assessments not only provide more detail on the physical limitations of the land and reconfirm the significant historic and cultural importance of Te Tumu, but also help to understand the land’s capacity to support urban development.
To date, the assessments have identified around 340 hectares of land within Te Tumu would likely be inappropriate for urban land uses due to the proximity to the coast, and other freshwater bodies. These areas would be more suitable to be set aside for the protection and preservation (and in some cases enhancement) of the significant natural, landscape and cultural values they hold.
The remaining area (approximately 400 hectares) does provide an opportunity to enable a range of urban land uses such as residential, commercial and community type activities. These areas would need to be complemented by areas for local reserves (playgrounds, sportsfields), roading networks (supporting a range of active transport modes) and infrastructure, which includes stormwater management areas. Once these areas are considered, the remaining developable area could have the potential to deliver around 6,000 homes over the long term.
This work to date has helped in the preparation of a draft structure plan. This plan is a way of illustrating, at a high level, these areas and how they may link in with the surrounding area.
Te Tumu Structure Plan (544kb pdf)
Will there be updates to this structure plan?
As noted earlier, many of the assessments that have been undertaken to guide the development of the draft structure plan will need to be updated and reviewed given changing national direction (such as the new National Policy Statements), and as further updates are made to guidance around matters like sea level rise projections. There are also assessments that have not yet been completed.
As this work continues, any changes to the draft structure plan will need to be considered and communicated with project partners.