Statement of Proposal for Parking and Traffic Control bylaw
Summary of Information
This is a Summary of Information as required by Section 83(1) (a) (ii) of the Local Government Act 2002 [the Act], accompanying the Rodney District Council’s Statement of Proposal to...more

LIFESTYLE ATTRACTION: Rodney is bucking the trend of people drifting away from the Auckland region partly because of the lifestyle it offers, close to the city. The Rodney District Council is pushing for more employment opportunities in the district to attract more young families and to save on fuel costs.

Rodney is the exception to a Statistics New Zealand report that says there has been a reverse in internal migration trends, and people are no longer flocking to the bright lights. The reports says they are moving southward away from the Auckland Region.

The report shows that a net 18,000 people moved from the Auckland region in the five years before the 2006 census. This may be true for the greater Auckland region, but it is a far different story in Rodney, which geographically accounts for about 40 percent of the region. The number of households is increasing at more than double the national growth rate. In 2001 Rodney had 28,185 households but this had grown to 32,910 by 2006.

A quality of life survey late last year showed that Rodney was the country’s fastest growing district from 2001 to 2006. Most of Rodney’s growth has been through net internal migration.
 
"Our gut feeling that most people are coming into Rodney for the lifestyle, and are coming from Auckland," says Rodney District Council communications manager Mike Isle. In the March 2001 census, Rodney had a population of 76,182. In the March 2006 census the district had 89,562 residents. The projected number for the 2011 census is 99,900. Economist Phil McDermott says there is a growing movement towards lifestyle localities. Auckland city is paying the price for traffic congestion, high housing and living costs and uncertain power supplies, he says.
 
The survey, released by Statistics New Zealand late last year, showed the three main reasons cited for moving from Auckland were social, environmental and economic. "Why would someone move all the way down to the South Island when that kind of lifestyle is available in Rodney, and you can still be 30 minutes from the city," says Mr Isle. Rodney offers more lifestyle blocks than any other Auckland district. And with the extension of Northern motorway due to open early next year, Auckland city is expected to continue spreading north.
 
"We have the best of both worlds in Rodney – the lifestyle both geographically and culturally. For example there are so many beaches to choose from on either coast," says Mr Isle. Rodney, along with Tauranga, has the highest proportion of people 65 years and older and also the greatest proportion of people in the 55 to 65 years age group. "Certainly it would be true that many people choose to retire to Rodney, again attracted by lifestyle and quiet pace of Rodney, and the ability to access Auckland city if required," says Mr Isle.
"But we are finding Rodney is popular for a family environment. We have excellent schools at primary and secondary levels.
 
"What the council would like to do is provide more employment opportunities so younger families can be closer to home rather than migrating south for work," he says. GDP growth in Rodney averaged 5.8 percent from 2001 to 2006, the second-highest rate of economic growth among 12 main cities and districts surveyed in the Statistics New Zealand research. Chief executive officer of the Rodney Development Trust, Valerie Freeman, says the trend of people moving away from Auckland may be a result to the change in house values.
But business-wise, she says, there is still a lot of interest in Rodney.
 
"We receive many inquires each month of businesses wanting come to Rodney. The problem they face is the lack of land available for use," she says. Mr Isle agrees. "I think land zoning is an issue here. The council are limited by such things as the Auckland Regional Strategy, about the amount of land we can zone for commercial activities," he says. "It’s also the type of business activities that is restricted. Nobody in Rodney would like heavy manufacturing in the area. We prefer clean industry, for example software or education."

 

Rodney District Council is currently working through a plan to redesign a section of State Highway through Orewa.  This project is named "Orewa Boulevard" and we are in the process of rolling out our proposed design for Stage 1 of these works - Moana Avenue to Tamariki Avenue. 

Attached you will find a pack which includes an information sheet that gives some background on the project, Maps (current layout and proposed new layout) and a Feedback Form. 

Feedback will be accepted on this project until 9th July 2008. 

It is important to note that this is a process of gaining feedback on the proposed design.  The final sign off of design and the contract award will be made by Council later in the year.

Process

§           Boffa Miskell “A Vision for Orewa” 1998 Report.

§           Orewa East Structure Plan 2007 was prepared to give a clear and concise vision for the future of Orewa and to identify the longer term actions to achieve the vision. Key elements of the structure plan are to:

ú       Address the treatment and function of the State Highway through Orewa given the opening of Alpurt in early 2009

ú       Calm the existing State Highway route sufficiently to enable reconnection of the town centre to the beachfront

ú       Provide a vibrant town centre that is in character with Orewa

§         GHD engaged to develop a concept design for State Highway 1 – Centreway Road to West Hoe Road.

Character Areas

§         Connecting the town centre with the beach

§         Increasing pedestrian connectivity and priority through traffic calming

§         Enhancing Orewa’s amenity, identity and character

Stage 1

Options considered:

Moenui to Tamariki – discounted for stage 1

§         Cornerstone Development may impact on any proposed detailed design

Moana to Florence – discounted for stage 1

§         Potential developments to the Civic Centre and Orewa Square area may impact on any proposed detailed design

Tamariki to Moana – Accepted option

§         High pedestrian use area

Continuation of development of key Council projects

Key Design Elements

§         Narrow carriageway

§         Tighten turning circles

§         Speed tables on side roads

§         Boulevard planting

§         Widening footpaths, shared cycle / pedestrian path on east side

§         Contrast paving across carriageway at pedestrian crossings

§         Provision of convenient on-street parking

Key Milestones Stage 1

09 July 2008           Closing date for consultation comments

09 October 2008     Final Design – Presented to October Council Meeting

18 December 2008  Contract Award at December Council Meeting

09 February 2009    Commence construction (subject to opening of Alpurt B2)

June 2009              Project complete

For further information regarding this project, please contact Leanne Smith, Destination Orewa Beach Ph: 09 426 2638 or Kim Gordon, Rodney District Council’s Transport Office Manager at kim.gordon@rodney.govt.nz.