Tasman District Council Future Development Strategy - Deadline 14 April

Sarah from Hope

Hi there

If you weren't already aware, formal consultation on the new draft Future Development Strategy 2022-2052 is open until 14 April. The Future Development Strategy shows where housing and business growth is to be located, and in what form, and what infrastructure will be needed to support that growth over the next 30 years. There's information about it here: www.tasman.govt.nz...

There are also two Reimagining Richmond South webinars next week where they are going to feedback on the consultations in Hope last year - details on the TDC Facebook page.

Many people are wondering if the sprawl of developments over greenfield sites will ever stop - there really is a good case against the housing development in 'Richmond South'. Yes, there have to be new houses, businesses etc - but evidence shows that mixed-use walkable neighbourhoods financially outperform car-centric suburbia (which is what is being proposed). On the plan for the FDS the centre of Richmond appears to be completely missed out for intensification (see image copied from the interactive map). Surely the CBD is the best place to start intensification? There is a great video here if you can spare 10 minutes - the conclusion is that those who live in sprawling towns have huge rate increases as a result of the infrastructure required, and could potentially go bust...

Suburbia is Subsidized: Here's the Math - youtu.be... (even if you just go from 8 mins 34 onwards).

I urge you to have a good look, and also to check out this community group www.facebook.com... - there are many articles and examples of why up is better than out!

I'm just sharing this to raise awareness, not to enter into a big debate!! I am not a member of TDC, nor an expert on housing - more so a parent whose children and their peers will be living in the town that is being planned now, and I worry for their future, both in terms of financial cost, energy costs, and lifestyle. I think it is time for developers to change from building 'what we know' i.e. single storey detached homes squashed into unaffordable sections with a strip of land around each home (that's too far from anywhere to get to without a car). This is the opportunity to create change and make our region even more awesome :-)

We have a chance to share our views, I encourage any one interested to get involved!