Chapter 12

Auckland’s Physical & Social Infrastructure

UPOKO 12 - NGĀ POU WHAKAHAERE O TĀMAKI MAKAURAU

Introduction

Auckland expects that the quality and effectiveness of it’s infrastructure will be improved as the population increases, through enhanced efficiency and prudent investment.

KO TE ARO WHAKAARO O TĀMAKI MAKAURAU, KA PAI, KA WHAI TIKANGA AKE ŌNA POUPOU WHAKAHAERE KA PIKI ANA TE RAHI O TE IWI, MĀ TE HĀNGAI TONU O NGĀ TIKANGA MAHI ME TE TUPATO O ANA MAHI TŌPŪ RAWA.

Strategic Direction 12

659_ Infrastructure is critical to the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Aucklanders, and its performance is essential to realising the vision of Auckland as the world’s most liveable city. From fast and efficient public transport services delivering the Auckland of the future, to fundamental water services delivering a basic human right; from public libraries providing local communities with access to knowledge, to ports and airports connecting Auckland to the world; infrastructure is the platform upon which Auckland is built.

660_ The 2011 National Infrastructure Plan defines infrastructure as: “the fixed, long-lived structures that facilitate the production of goods and services and underpin many aspects of quality of life. ‘Infrastructure’ refers to physical networks, principally transport, water, energy and communications”.⁶⁷

661_ In addition, the first National Infrastructure Plan (in 2010) records government’s investments across health, education and corrections services. At the national level, infrastructure can be understood as the structures (pipes, lines, access ways, cables and specialized facilities) that enable life in New Zealand.

662_ In Auckland, infrastructure refers to a broader range of services and includes investments in libraries, museums, and recreation and sports facilities. In addition, the public open space network is part of the publicly provided infrastructure.

663_ Auckland needs to function well, and infrastructure assists it to do so. Recent disasters in New Zealand and overseas have highlighted the critical importance of water, wastewater, and electricity provision for the resilience of a city. These disasters have also raised the importance of our emergency services (police, fire, ambulance and others) and the need to ensure adequate resources and sites for these services. Auckland, as the largest and fastest-growing metropolitan region in New Zealand, will account for more than 60% of New Zealand’s growth over the next 30 years, which will impose on infrastructure demand. Underinvestment in infrastructure has been an issue for Auckland in the past, and significant funding gaps have been identified; this may deter international investment and hinder the achievement of the objectives set out in this Plan.⁶⁸

664_ Auckland’s infrastructure is reliant on a variety of inter-regional links, including the metropolitan water supply taken from the Waikato River, the transmission of electricity via the National Grid, and the fuel pipeline from Marsden Point. Aucklanders are also reliant on the public open spaces and recreational opportunities provided in neighbouring regions. While inter-regional links support Auckland’s well- being, it is also recognised that Auckland spans a number of vital infrastructure corridors between Northland and the wider North Island. This Plan recognises that decisions on infrastructure impact beyond Auckland’s boundaries. Map B.1 (see Section B: Auckland Now and into the Future) emphasises Auckland’s key interdependencies and linkages with other regions within New Zealand, particularly the upper North Island, in relation to infrastructure and services (for example ports, transport, utilities, tourism). Interregional collaboration, through agreements and strategies such as the Upper North Island Strategic Alliance, offers an opportunity to integrate growth and infrastructure investment. This will also ensure the alignment of objectives, policies, development strategies and funding regimes in the Auckland Plan. Further discussion of these interregional links is provided in other chapters (see: Chapters 6: Auckland’s Economy, 9: Rural Auckland, and 13: Auckland’s Transport).

665_ The Auckland Council, along with central government, other agencies and the private sector, provides infrastructure and services for the city. Investment will be optimised if Auckland and central government align and complement each other. This Plan provides the opportunity to synthesise investment in infrastructure, share information, and coordinate activity spatially.

666_ This Chapter includes the following key elements of Auckland’s infrastructure:

water supply, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure (raw water sources and water treatment facilities, water supply distribution networks, wastewater collection networks, wastewater treatment plants, stormwater collection and disposal systems)
energy (electricity generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, fuel networks and storage facilities)
telecommunications (towers, exchanges, fibre optic cabling and overhead cabling)
defence facilities – such as the Papakura Military Camp
emergency services – such as the Regional Police Headquarters and Coastguard facilities
social infrastructure (facilities provided by both central government and Auckland Council, including hospitals, courts, schools, sports and arts venues, libraries, museums)
public open space (green [land], blue [marine] and grey [urban] public open spaces).

667_ This chapter refers to infrastructure covered in detail within other chapters as follows:

transport – (including ports and airports) – discussed in Chapter 13: Auckland’s Transport
waste infrastructure (transfer stations and landfills) – discussed in Chapter 7: Auckland’s Environment
arts and cultural institutions and facilities – discussed in Chapter 3: Auckland’s Arts and Culture.

668_ Further information on infrastructure investments for future Auckland-wide networks and the development of priority places is provided in Chapter 14: Implementation Framework.

669_ Table 12.1 Shows some of the key agencies and bodies involved in the planning, funding and operating of infrastructure in Auckland.

Table 12.1 Key Agencies Involved In Delivering Infrastructure to Auckland

670_ Central government and Auckland Council are the principal investors in much of the infrastructure in Auckland, except for water supply and wastewater, which is funded through user tariffs. However, in future, other parties, including iwi (see Chapter 2: Auckland’s Māori) and the private sector, are likely to play a critical role.

671_ As well, the Council regulates, designates, consents and monitors infrastructure development. It monitors the performance of infrastructure to ensure it meets the required standards. As the land-use planning agency for Auckland, the Council also determines the location of different activities, including infrastructure.

672_ By strategically planning the location, type and timing of infrastructure services, the Auckland Plan can promote the well-being of Aucklanders, lift productivity, and substantially progress the vision for 2040.

673_ The Auckland Plan recognises that infrastructure investment can generate wider benefits. Such investment is not simply a response to demand, but a tool to shape growth within the urban system. Figure 12.1 demonstrates the role of different types of infrastructure in shaping urban form.

674_ The rapid advancement of new technology and the changing needs of Auckland’s residents and businesses provide the opportunity to adopt new infrastructure technology, using both traditional centralised and reticulated networks, and possibly greater use of decentralised systems. The use of such new technology will affect future development decisions and Auckland’s form.

675_ A sustainable approach to infrastructure planning focuses on developing a resilient Auckland that can adapt to change by building strong communities, and robust ecological systems, and by strengthening its economy. The Auckland Plan is premised on the development of a quality compact urban form. This approach makes better use of existing networks, and manages the demand for new infrastructure efficiently and equitably, ensuring that investment leads to the most effective outcomes for Auckland. The importance of ensuring resilient infrastructure was highlighted in the National Infrastructure Plan 2011, and recent natural hazard events (see Chapter 8: Auckland’s Response to Climate Change).

676_ The Auckland Plan further recognizes that infrastructure investments are needed in some of Auckland’s rural and coastal communities. The provision of upgraded or new infrastructure, including water-related assets; access to adequate energy resources (for example natural gas for horticulture users); and the rural broadband initiative, develops the rural economy, and allows for a range of lifestyle choices for residents. Further details regarding rural growth and development can be found in Chapter 9: Rural Auckland. Water quality and quantity limits (Chapter 7: Auckland’s Environment) must be integrated into infrastructure investment decisions.

Figure 12.1 The shaping influence of infrastructure

677_ In its infrastructure planning, Auckland Council will work to achieve Māori aspirations through increased partnership and active engagement in the delivery and supply of infrastructure. In particular, it will enable tangata whenua to participate in the co-management of natural resources, through potential relationship agreements, co-management and governance frameworks, and capacity building (see Chapters 2: Auckland’s Māori, and 7: Auckland’s Environment).

The scope and nature of infrastructure planning for the Auckland Plan

678_ The National Infrastructure Plan sets a nation-wide context for the provision of infrastructure, with the vision that by 2030, New Zealand’s infrastructure is resilient, coordinated and contributes to economic growth and increased quality of life. It has two key principles: better use of existing infrastructure, and better allocation of future investment. These principles also guide Auckland’s approach to infrastructure development.

679_ Section 79 of the local government (Auckland Council) Act (2009) directs the Council in the Auckland Plan to “identify the existing and future location and mix of critical infrastructure, services and investment within Auckland”.^* It does not define the term ‘critical’, other than to give examples, which include social infrastructure and public open space. For the purposes of this Plan, critical infrastructure is defined as “Infrastructure assets, services and systems which:

are an immediate community requirement and fundamental to enabling development. If destroyed, degraded or rendered unavailable for periods of more than one day, this loss would have serious consequences for the health, safety, security and social and economic well-being of the Auckland Region (e.g. major wastewater treatment plants).
are fundamental to the long-term well-being of the community, and contribute to Auckland’s liveability, such as those components relating to cultural and social infrastructure (e.g. public open space and libraries)”.

* Maps are provided in this Chapter in accordance with section 79(3)(c) and 79(4)(d)(ii) of the Act

680_ Guidelines for planning infrastructure, consistent with the 30-year time horizon of this Plan, follow a sustainable development approach. Auckland’s infrastructure will:

be adaptable: we will build systems that are resilient and robust and can adapt to sudden shocks, new technologies and longer-term shifts. These systems include energy, transport, water and information systems as well as the social infrastructure which supports how we learn and live together
enable connectivity: we will facilitate opportunity through people’s freedom of movement, ideas, goods and services
be cost-effective: we will get better use out of what we have, and maximize the benefits from limited resources by increasing resource efficiencies. We will provide better value for money
plan for longevity: we will consider the long-term implications of decisions and recognise that the region will experience enormous change in the future
ensure stewardship: we will take responsibility for what our natural environment has provided. We will protect what we value most and use resources carefully.

681_ The legislative context within which infrastructure is planned in Auckland, and other legislation affecting central and local government, support Aucklanders and Auckland’s business community (for example the Reserves Act (1974) and the Public health Act (1956)).

682_ This chapter outlines Auckland’s policies, priorities, land allocations, and programmes and investments across non- transport infrastructure, with particular attention given to ‘critical infrastructure’. Auckland Council can shape Auckland’s urban form through careful, effective transport investment. For this reason, transport is considered separately from other infrastructure services (see Chapter 13: Auckland’s Transport). For the purposes of this Plan, the criticality of each infrastructure network can be assessed by:

the contribution it makes to the people of Auckland or a significant part of Auckland
the consequences for Auckland and New Zealand should it fail
the contribution it makes to shaping and reshaping Auckland, as distinct from simply following existing patterns of development.

683_ In addition to the above criteria, infrastructure planning and provision will:

protect and future-proof infrastructure corridors from development that might impede necessary future expansion, and from reverse sensitivity issues
improve the resilience of critical infrastructure.

684_ using these criteria, the Auckland Council has identified existing critical infrastructure (see Table 12.2). The Council acknowledges that some infrastructure types are not included in this list, such as individual libraries. libraries are critical when viewed as a network, but the focus here is on infrastructure assets which meet all the criteria listed.

(Note: ‘Bold’ indicates those assets and networks which are most critical in the regional hierarchy)

Table 12.2 Existing Critical Infrastructure

Priority 1: Optimise, Integrate and Align Network Utility Provision and Planning

Network Utilities

Auckland expects that the quality and effectiveness of its network utility infrastructure will improve over time through prudent investment that enhances efficiency, security, and resilience of these utilities.

Water

685_ Water is fundamental for life, and essential for human consumption, primary production, economic activity, and sanitation. Auckland’s water is as intrinsic to the region as the land, and has deep cultural significance for Māori, with the concept of mauri (life force) key to the management of water assets. (see Chapter 2: Auckland’s Māori, and Chapter 7: Auckland’s Environment). Provision of critical water infrastructure is a core priority for the Auckland Plan. Investment in the water networks must be carefully programmed and sequenced in line with development.

686_ Water services can be divided into three categories: water supply, wastewater and stormwater. Together, these are commonly referred to as the ‘three waters’. Three waters’ infrastructure includes the assets required for water supply collection, treatment and distribution; wastewater (sewerage) collection, treatment, and final disposal; and stormwater treatment and final disposal. An integrated approach to planning and operating each of the three waters will ensure the efficient and affordable provision of these vital networks. Such an approach will protect and enhance Auckland’s marine and freshwater environments.

687_ The Auckland Council’s role in the provision of water services differs from its role in other major physical infrastructure sectors. In the transport sector, the Council shares responsibility with several central government agencies. In the telecommunications and energy sectors, the Council plays only a regulatory and consenting role. However, in the water sector, the Auckland Council controls all aspects of the provision of water services. The Council is responsible for water policy and regulation, while its CCO (Watercare) controls all aspects of water planning, funding, delivery, operation, and retailing. The full service function of the Council empowers it to influence water outcomes to a greater degree than is possible in other sectors (with the exception of community infrastructure).

688_ Auckland benefits from a number of nearby water sources. This helps ensure a reliable supply of potable water. however, these sources were supplemented (largely in response to the 1994 drought) by the development of a pipeline from the Waikato River, and it is anticipated that Auckland’s future growth will necessitate a second pipeline from the Waikato River.

689_ The water networks have expanded to encompass a range of infrastructure investments, including 11 dams, 149 reservoirs, 9,000 kilometres of water pipes, 19 wastewater treatment plants, and 7000 kilometres of sewers.⁶⁹

690_ Population increases will create challenges for Auckland’s water resources. There are competing demands for rural production, urban supply, and environmental protection. In some areas the infrastructure struggles to cope with growing demand. Providing new or expanded networks takes time, because of the costs and scale of work.

691_ Water supply costs have historically been low, due to consistent rainfall and a gravity-assisted network. However, these attributes are under pressure. Increased incidence of extreme weather events, including drought, is widely anticipated as a result of climate change. The possibility of longer, drier summer months not only compromises the availability of quality water, but threatens to raise Auckland’s overall water consumption. Auckland may therefore require greater additional water supply capacity.

692_ The closest sources for Auckland water have now been exploited, leaving only more distant and expensive options for increasing supply. The timing of new infrastructure is based on Auckland achieving its water demand management target of 15%. This target includes measures to reduce losses in the network, and a wide range of water conservation activities. If this target is not achieved, the development of new water infrastructure will have to be brought forward.

693_ Wastewater challenges are more significant. Although progress has been made to identify future wastewater treatment capacity, a number of regulatory issues must be resolved. Parts of the wastewater network are subject to stormwater inflow and infiltration, which, during wet weather, result in flows that exceed the capacity of the system. The resulting discharge of both stormwater and untreated wastewater into the natural environment leads to beach closures in and around Auckland. Substantial investment in network upgrades, and inflow and infiltration reduction is required to reduce wet weather overflows.

694_ Stormwater infrastructure is used to convey, hold and treat rainfall run-off. Challenges to the infrastructure are significant. More than 7000 existing households are currently exposed to flooding risk, and investment in infrastructure solutions is required to resolve this. Increasing contaminant levels in several coastal receiving environments need to be stopped by infrastructure investment and careful management of development. There are variations in the age of stormwater infrastructure across Auckland, and many sections require renewal or replacement. Investment in effective maintenance will ensure the maximum life span of infrastructure. It is important to apply Water Sensitive Design approaches to new development areas, to avoid the creation of new flooding and environmental problems which are costly to fix retrospectively. Stormwater infrastructure for new growth is largely funded by developers. However, Auckland Council is responsible for the operations and maintenance costs of new infrastructure, and the need to provide for any increase in capacity of the stormwater network required downstream of growth areas.

696_ opportunities exist to improve the efficiency of Auckland’s water infrastructure and reduce water consumption (see Chapter 7: Auckland’s Environment). In some locations, on-site solutions to our stormwater, wastewater, and water supply can reduce demand on our reticulated networks and deliver wider environmental benefits. (see Box 10.2 for environmental design principles). Auckland Council recognises that on-site solutions may not be appropriate in some locations or circumstances. However, the Council will work with stakeholders to develop an appropriate implementation policy and mechanisms for on- and off-site solutions. Substantial, ongoing investment is required to ensure that Auckland has an adequate municipal supply of water, and effective wastewater and stormwater collection and disposal systems.

697_ The Auckland Council is committed to ensuring the long- term sustainability of Auckland’s water resources, and ensuring that access to critical water infrastructure is maintained. The Council is also committed to preventing encroachment from other activities, and minimising reverse sensitivity effects. Water services will be optimised by a range of demand management initiatives, including consumer education.

698_ Table 12.2 shows elements of the critical water and wastewater infrastructure network. An additional policy relating to water and wastewater is stated in Chapter 7: Auckland’s Environment.

699_ Auckland Council will capitalise on the consolidation of water supply and wastewater services. It will also align with central government’s new focus on water services (National Infrastructure Plan) to ensure that three waters’ planning aligns with land use.

700_ Nationally, the water sector will identify a range of common and agreed indicators to allow benchmarking. This work will occur during 2012 – 2013.

701_ The development of an updated water strategy for Auckland will address a variety of water-related matters, including the future planning of Auckland’s water infrastructure.

Energy

702_ Energy is provided through a mixture of state-owned enterprises and the private sector, such as Vector, Wiri Oil Services, Transpower, and Contact Energy. Telecommunications is overwhelmingly funded and operated by the private sector. Although not involved in the delivery of these services, Auckland Council performs an important role in their regulation, planning and ongoing monitoring.

703_ Auckland needs confidence in its ability to secure long- term, sustainable, reliable and affordable energy. disruptions to electricity supply and sudden fuel price increases in recent years have reduced consumer confidence. Auckland is reliant on other parts of the country for its electricity generation. our national reliance on hydro-generated electricity helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions but it makes us vulnerable during drought, and Auckland vulnerable to the potential failure of the transmission infrastructure required to convey the electricity to Auckland. Access to the national grid is critical for urban growth.

704_ Energy is also a determinant of land use.Various energy sources support different industrial activities, and create different demands for land. Understanding the costs of electricity provision and, to a lesser extent, natural gas reticulation, assists the Council to more effectively plan for growth. Auckland Council is committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of Auckland’s critical energy infrastructure. The Council is also committed to preventing encroachment from other activities, and minimising reverse sensitivity effects on the use and operation of Auckland’s critical energy infrastructure, through its planning and regulatory roles. However, the Council also recognises that these energy corridors can impact on the ability for communities to develop and grow, and result in visual effects. A range of interventions may be needed in some locations, to balance the need for secure infrastructure corridors with the development aims of the Auckland Plan and the aspirations of local communities.

705_ Auckland faces a number of critical energy, security, and resilience issues that must be addressed:

pressure points in the local transmission grid and distribution networks, which can result in untimely outages
incompatible land uses along transmission and distribution corridors, which affect their efficient operation, maintenance, and upgrade capacity
the undergrounding or rerouting of transmission and distribution corridors in order to unlock the development opportunities of Auckland’s centres and improve the amenity of some locations
reliance on external sources for electricity generation
meeting the increasing dependency of the Northland region for secure and reliable electricity services to be routed through Auckland
a lack of diversity in the energy system, particularly the lack of viable, renewable energy generation capability
Auckland’s liquid fuel supply, including all jet fuel for Auckland International Airport, is reliant on a single pipeline from the Marsden Point Refinery to the Wiri Oil Terminal, and a further pipeline from the Terminal to the Airport. These assets are affected by incompatible land uses, given their hazardous nature and the risks associated with their operation
increasing dependence on the Northland and Waikato Regions for secure and reliable fuel delivery with the future loss of Wynyard Point
increasing demands for secure energy stock, including natural gas, for rural production
under- or non-insulated domestic housing stock which is cold and damp in winter and can overheat in summer, resulting in inefficient or unnecessary electricity usage, and placing pressure on the national grid
with the electrification of public transport systems and the growth in electric vehicles, further demand will be placed on electricity generation, transmission, and distribution networks.

706_ Four opportunities to improve energy security and supply are:

developing shared infrastructure corridors
investigating options to diversify electricity generation in and around Auckland
increasing generation capacity from renewable energy resources (see target in Chapter 8: Auckland’s Response to Climate Change)
improving Auckland Council processes for the consenting of energy infrastructure maintenance and the construction of new or upgraded energy assets.

Telecommunications

707_ Telecommunications assist in the delivery of educational resources, help businesses compete in the global economy, and connect communities. Social media, e-mail, mobile phones and instant messaging have become essential forms of communication in modern life. Effective telecommunication networks allow other infrastructure sectors to be resilient and responsive to changing conditions and the adoption of new technology.

708_ An opportunity exists to leverage off central government’s current and planned investment in fibre to the home and rural broadband, to affect spatial outcomes. Currently around 8% of Aucklanders work from home. Increasing this proportion through improving access to ultra- fast broadband will help to reduce pressure on roads at peak times, and improve the quality of residential living.

709_ Auckland needs to be in step with global communication development trends. Broadband is an enabler of innovation that will boost the economy and reduce the virtual distance between New Zealand and the rest of the world. The provision of better digital connectivity will provide new economic opportunities for Auckland, and give Auckland businesses greater opportunities to exploit global markets.

710_ over the next decade, enhanced broadband retail services and applications will be provided, as copper is replaced by fibre in the urban centres, and comparable broadband options are extended to rural New Zealand.

711_ Expanded international bandwidth options are being investigated in the form of two separate proposed fibre links to Australia and California.

712_ International capacity is a high priority, but so is enhancing the use of local networks. Proposed new connections will increase price competition and result in lower wholesale costs. More international capacity will result in greater competitiveness, which will also help reduce wholesale pricing. The higher capacity will enhance the resilience of global connectivity for New Zealand.

713_ The appetite for innovative broadband solutions is already high in Auckland, and business, health and education sectors are preparing for the improved services that will be provided once they are connected to the infrastructure

714_ There are opportunities to increase innovative broadband use throughout the region by aligning aspiration and policies to the following areas:

Increased international bandwidth such as:

Kordia’s trans-Tasman “optiKor” fibre link
Pacific Fibre’s fibre link from Sydney through Auckland and on to California.

Ensure that coverage is comprehensive between wired and wireless networks, including:

creating a world-class mobile data coverage area
ensuring that secondary benefits, such as telecommuting, are supported.

local data centres which enable the storage of local content and services:

attracting large international providers
supporting local content production
supporting local applications that would benefit from caching (storing) data on local networks
NZ is considered a prime candidate for the ‘data centre of the Pacific’, due to its green power options and geographic location.

715_ The above initiatives would enhance economic growth in Auckland. A world-class telecommunications infrastructure would increase the city’s ability to attract business to Auckland. This would assist other infrastructure providers in the management of their existing networks and the development of new high-tech assets.

716_ Auckland’s large geographic size and the isolated nature of many of its communities, particularly those on the Gulf Islands, results in many Aucklanders being heavily dependent on telecommunication services to access goods and services. Auckland Council will work with these communities and telecommunication providers to improve network assess for all Aucklanders.

717_ The Auckland Council regulates and facilitates new telecommunication infrastructure development, as a landowner, a major telecommunications user, and a consenting authority. This allows the Council to work with infrastructure providers to ensure the provision of high quality telecommunication infrastructure across Auckland. The Council will strongly advocate on behalf of Auckland for the fast delivery of fibre optic cabling and rural broadband, building on central government’s urban Fibre Initiative and Rural Broadband Initiative.

718_ opportunities also exist for the co-location and consolidation of telecommunication and other network utility infrastructure. Auckland Council recognises that the proliferation of utility structures can lead to poor urban design outcomes, and will work with utility providers to lessen these impacts. Further detail is provided in Chapter 10: Urban Auckland.

DIRECTIVE 12.1

Identify, protect and provide existing and future network utility infrastructure to ensure efficient provision of secure and resilient water supply, wastewater, stormwater, energy and telecommunication services that will meet the needs of Auckland over time.

DIRECTIVE 12.2

Integrate planning of network utility infrastructure to provide for population growth.

DIRECTIVE 12.3

Sequence investment across the network utilities and collaborate to identify areas where infrastructure can be effectively provided and where land and corridors can accommodate network utilities services.

DIRECTIVE 12.4

Ensure sustainable design and use of water resources (see Chapter 7: Auckland’s Environment).

Social Infrastructure

(Including education, health, corrections, community and cultural facilities, public open space)

Auckland expects that the quality and effectiveness of its social infrastructure services will be improved as the population increases, through enhanced efficiency and prudent investment.

719_ Major social infrastructure is largely provided by central government, and includes hospitals, schools, universities and tertiary institutions, prisons, courts and social housing (see Chapters 1: Auckland’s People, 10: urban Auckland, 11: Auckland’s Housing, Table 12.1 and Map 12.1).

720_ Cooperation and coordinated planning are essential to provide for population growth and to ensure that these services can be delivered when and where required. The National Infrastructure Plan identifies goals, opportunities and success indicators relating to the provision of social infrastructure, which have particular relevance for the Auckland Plan:

that central and local government are well coordinated and exploit synergies in the building and delivery of services
that central government consider the broader strategic outcomes sought from the management of and investment in social infrastructure assets, including a spatial and network dimension
that spatial coordination of government investment, including co-location of services (particularly in Auckland), is increased.
Within this context, the Auckland Plan encourages more effective provision of social infrastructure at an appropriate spatial scale (local, sub-regional and Auckland-wide level), and ensures it is sequenced to support development. This requires close collaboration with central government, private and not-for-profit agencies, iwi and others, across a range of social infrastructure portfolios, to ensure that Auckland’s social infrastructure requirements are understood and that necessary investment is made. To ensure that social services meet the needs of Auckland’s growing and diverse population we must optimise the use of existing assets, before making new investments.

721_ Given Auckland’s growing population, examples of the principal areas of focus include:

healthcare – Auckland Council will work with central government, health agencies and the three district Health Boards to ensure that timely investment is made to meet the health needs of the growing population and the changing demographic patterns. This may lead to the expansion of service delivery out of existing hospitals and facilities, or expansion of these facilities, and will lead to better, more timely and accessible healthcare for Aucklanders. The focus is on improving health, i.e. prevention rather than cure (see Chapter 1: Auckland’s People). As well, there is an opportunity for other options for delivering services through papakāinga, marae institutions and iwi-based health care services (see Chapter 2: Auckland’s Māori).

education – Auckland Council will work with the Ministry of Education (currently developing a National Network 25-Year Strategy), government agencies, and education providers to identify and plan for ongoing population growth, and ensure adequate physical infrastructure is provided to service education needs. This includes the development of new schools, the expansion of existing schools and other education institutions, and the transport and telecommunications infrastructure needed to service them.

722_ Part of integrating social infrastructure planning into the compact city model is maximising the benefits of clustering facilities within a hierarchy of centres – effectively developing a network of community facilities designed to meet the full range of needs. For example, a local neighbourhood uses a school hall and swimming pool, more advanced swim schools are located in town centre pools, and national events take place in a sub-regional facility.

723_ Some schools have led the way in sharing the use of facilities with community groups, and partnering with service providers to offer students, their families and the wider community a range of local experiences (such as the shared use of school pools with private ’swimschool’ businesses out of hours). In future, some urban schools may have to become more integrated with intensified inner city environments, potentially operating out of commercial buildings and sharing the use of existing public open space and facilities in order to deliver the physical education curriculum. This already occurs in cities all over the world.

724_ Many social service facilities are already clustered in localities across Auckland: in the central city area, Henderson, Manukau, Takapuna and more recently in Albany. Clustered facilities provide services for large and growing sub-regional catchments and are located on public transport networks. Existing clusters will be supported to continue to deliver accessible services to local communities.

725_ In terms of cultural well-being, many schools already take the opportunity to network with local iwi and hapū to provide children with marae experience and learning.

726_ Social infrastructure includes the facilities and investments maintained by Auckland Council at a local level, such as community centres, community houses, youth centres and community halls, libraries, marae within our libraries, swimming pools and recreation facilities, public open space, galleries and museums. Community infrastructure typically consists of numerous individual sites and structures spread over the entire region. Each individual service provides for a local community, but together the network promotes regional outcomes which are essential to the liveability of Auckland. Voluntary organisations across Auckland greatly enhance our community infrastructure through their own initiatives. Auckland Council seeks to build on these contributions and acknowledges the role they play in strengthening and connecting communities (see Chapter 1: Auckland’s People).

727_ Community infrastructure promotes a range of different outcomes we value, such as community cohesion and positive social outcomes. Some facilities, such as libraries and museums, help Aucklanders learn more about themselves, their heritage and their unique identity. The Council recognises the role these services play in enhancing understanding of our different communities and bringing Aucklanders together. other types of community infrastructure, such as public open space and recreational facilities, provide opportunities for residents to exercise and stay fit and healthy. They provide respite from urban living stresses and contribute to Auckland’s natural amenity. These spaces also bring different communities together and provide access to activities not otherwise available to all Aucklanders. The Auckland Council believes that a healthy Auckland is a more liveable Auckland, and that providing services which encourage physical activity is an important objective (see Chapters 3: Auckland’s Arts and Culture, and 4: Auckland’s historic heritage).

728_ More generally, Council community infrastructure sustains communities and provides fair and equal access to the range of opportunities Aucklanders consider important: in leisure, learning, skill development, experiencing the outdoors, training the mind or training the body.

729_ Auckland benefits from an outstanding natural landscape. Proximity to the coast and sea affords Aucklanders an almost incomparable range of marine activities. Extensive regional parks and public open spaces in the urban core such as the Auckland Domain and one Tree hill Domain, provide impressive natural amenity and contribute to Auckland’s green infrastructure and liveability. Access to our bountiful natural environment is an advantage to living in Auckland, and draws skilled migrants here. Auckland’s public open space network, including the associated trails and walkways, contributes to its unique identity, quality of life, healthy lifestyle (for example facilitating opportunities for walking and cycling), tourism potential and economic well-being.

730_ The public open space network must be recognised and managed as an integrated system of individual places, corridors and links: it is frequently the location for many wharves, jetties and boat ramps that are used by ferries and private water vessels. Private open space (for example golf courses and school grounds) contribute to the feeling of ‘spaciousness’ even though some of them are not open to the public. The challenge is to maintain and improve the public open space network as the population grows and diversifies, while also protecting and enhancing the values associated with particular sites. Map 12.3 illustrates Auckland’s potential future open space investments (public open space is discussed further in Chapters 5: Auckland’s Recreation and Sport and 7: Auckland’s Environment).

731_ There are significant networks of trails and walks across the Waitākere and Hunua Ranges. Two walkways of national significance are shown on Map 12.3: the Hillary Trail and Te Araroa Walkway. Developing or expanding the recreational network, especially interregionally, will require infrastructure (including land services and facilities) to support users. The Council will ensure that public open space is planned for and delivered to match the demands of a growing population (Figure 12.2). It will work with others to maintain public access to the open space network of regional parks, and other coastal recreational areas. This includes limiting the use of public open space for the provision of infrastructure and other services. This will secure the primary use of public open space for public formal and informal use.

732_ The open space network comprises both public and private land. objectives for its development will be achieved in part through public open space acquisitions and development. However, tools such as a strong planning framework, partnerships, land-use agreements (such as access easements and leases), and education that supports the protection and enhancement of private land in the open space network, are vital. open space protection beyond the RUB is also a priority: locations will be determined over time.

733_ In terms of community infrastructure, the many interconnected public libraries provide almost all Auckland residents with access to literature, the internet, information and knowledge. despite differing collections across the region, residents can order books and other items from anywhere within Auckland. The use of technology and the development of service innovations, using emergent technologies based on multi-media interactivity and information sharing, provide rich learning and leisure experiences. Auckland also benefits from the presence of a number of unique national cultural institutions (see Chapter 3: Auckland’s Arts and Culture).

734_ The principal challenge facing the provision of community infrastructure under revised Auckland governance arrangements, is to ensure fair access to services, as not all communities enjoy the same levels of service. An associated challenge is to establish new structures and arrangements which engage local communities, identify their needs and provide appropriate services. Auckland’s 21 local boards play an important role in achieving these objectives.

DIRECTIVE 12.5

Protect and enable critical social infrastructure services to match the needs of Auckland’s current and future populations.

Figure 12.2 Benefits of public open space

DIRECTIVE 12.6

Identify social infrastructure needs and engage local boards to prioritise community infrastructure requirements.

DIRECTIVE 12.7

Include social infrastructure investments in land-use and transport planning documents, and provide for community infrastructure.

DIRECTIVE 12.8

Maintain and extend the public open space network, sporting facilities, swimming pools, walkways and trails, and recreational boating facilities in line with growth needs.

Map 12.1 Social Infrastructure

Map 12.2 Critical Infrastructure Networks

Map 12.3 Future recreational and public open space areas

Chapter Contents

Introduction
Priority 1: Optimise, Integrate and Align Network Utility Provision and Planning
Priority 2: Protect, Enable, Align, Integrate and Provide Social and Community Infrastructure for Present and Future Generations