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Te pai me te whai rawa o Tāmaki Our commitment to the environment and green growth

Aucklandgrowing greener

Summary

For further information, resources and updates, visit our website: aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/aucklandgrowinggreener

2 Auckland Growing Greener - Summary | August 2016

Our unique and diverse natural environment is central to the health and wellbeing of our people, our cultural and spiritual identity and our economic success. Historical development has caused our beaches, harbours, streams and native bush to degrade. Achieving our aspiration of becoming the world’s most liveable city will require us to change this trend and grow greener.

The world’s most liveable cityThe Auckland Plan vision for Auckland is a city and region that is green, beautiful, connected, prosperous, loved by its people and with a Māori identity that is our point of difference in the world.

Central to this vision of being the world’s most liveable city is a flourishing and resilient natural environment – one that contributes to our health and economy.

Auckland’s unique diversity of natural features and clean, green environment is a major asset in our international competitiveness, and essential for the health and wellbeing of all Aucklanders. The tourism, fisheries, aquaculture and agriculture sectors all require clean water and air, and fertile, non-contaminated land.

Auckland Growing Greener describes Auckland Council’s roles and commitments to deliver the environmental outcomes for Auckland that underpin the Auckland Plan vision.

Growing bigger: the challengeThe collective impact of human activity is damaging the environment we love and need.

The Health of Auckland’s Natural Environment in 2015 – Te Oranga o te Taiao o Tāmaki Makaurau report found that with current effort we are barely holding the line on the health of our environment, and the predicted growth and development for the region will further stress the environment.

Without a decisive shift in our thinking and actions, we cannot achieve our vision for a green Auckland. We need to accelerate efforts to address the underlying causes of loss to our environmental health.

Aucklanders can today see the beginnings of this transformational shift with the conversion to electric trains, expanding cycle networks, waste reduction, better urban design with increasing use of water sensitive design and Māori design principles, and supporting green technologies. Working with mana whenua, communities and businesses, we are seizing new opportunities for green growth and enabling Aucklanders to create the environment they want.

Fishing at Archibald Park, New Lynn.

3 Auckland Growing Greener - Summary | August 2016

Housing development, Hobsonville Point.

Four priority areas of action

1. Urban transformationHarnessing greener ways to plan and design, build, live and travel is needed to ensure environmental outcomes are met as Auckland rapidly grows. Creating well designed, compact urban environments with a focus on sustainability, providing more energy-efficient public and active transport and delivering on-the-ground green infrastructure, are areas for transformation.

Why?Developing outwards to accommodate more people has large environmental impacts; more infrastructure, potential loss of our premium productive soils and increased traffic. Private car trips add to road congestion and are sources of pollutants in water and air. Replacing these with public and active transport will help reduce these effects.

What you will see• public transport improvements through the

City Rail Link and new public transport network

• more walking and cycling paths that safely link neighbourhoods and community centres

• more vibrant mixed-use centres like Hobsonville Point

• electric trains

• energy-saving street lights.

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Repurposing inorganic waste.

2. Zero wasteWaste doesn’t simply disappear. We need to find ways to reduce waste through recycling, reusing and repurposing our waste and changing how we produce and consume products.

Why?Reducing waste lowers our impact on the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and use of raw materials.

Turning our waste into new products and thinking about new ways to use waste can create local jobs, too.

What you will see• 30 per cent drop in per person waste by 2018

• network of community recycling centres for inorganic waste

• educational programmes on how to reduce waste

• promoting better design and packaging.

5 Auckland Growing Greener - Summary | August 2016

Releasing endangered pateke (brown teal) at Tāwharanui Regional Park Open Sanctuary.

3. Restoring natureMany Aucklanders say that the region’s beaches, harbours, parks, maunga and forests are what they value most about living here. These sites are also home to richly diverse plants and animals, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. These places are priceless assets that sustain our way of life, culture and histories and make our region a magnificent place to live in and visit.

Why?Natural ecosystems and native species are under threat from pest plants and animals, loss of habitat, pollution and climate change.

It is important that we protect and enhance our unique biodiversity now and as a legacy for future generations.

What you will see• more significant ecological areas on land and sea

• enhanced care and preservation of volcanic cones by the Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority

• large-scale pest control at places like the Hunua Ranges

• ongoing funding for community planting programmes and wetland restorations

• sustainability education programmes in schools

• providing natural habitats across our cities as refuges for our native wildlife.

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Gathering shellfish at Orere Point.

4. Healthy watersClean and healthy waters that are full of life are a vital component of strong sustainable ecosystems, and to the lives of Aucklanders. Recognising the connection between human activities and their impact on fresh and marine waters is key to achieving this. The council, community and mana whenua managing water together is how we will effectively address these issues.

Why?Freshwater and marine health is declining across Auckland, particularly in urban streams and marine waters near the coast. Sediment and contaminants from land use are the main causes, and these pressures will increase as Auckland grows. Demand for water will also increase, for agricultural and industrial use and for drinking water.

What you will see• new rules and practices for building, developing and

farming to reduce contaminants at source

• water sensitive design in urban developments

• reduced pollution entering the West Coast lagoons

• education programmes that empower communities to care for local waterways

• per person water use cut by 15 per cent of 2004 levels by 2025.

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Future directions

Auckland Council and council-controlled oganisation (CCO) commitments to green growth are continually evolving as we push for sustainable outcomes and better practices. But whatever action we take, it is always based on five ways of working:

• walking the talk - ensuring the council is thinking and acting green in all it does

• empowering communities - supporting the energy and commitment of the people of Auckland

• committing to collaborative partnerships with mana whenua - recognising their kaitiaki role and the intrinsic connection between the natural environment and Māori cultural wellbeing

• embracing innovation - looking for new ways to grow greener, and new methods to fund improvements

• delivering infrastructure for multiple outcomes - generating environmental, social and cultural assets through built infrastructure and development projects.

Using these principles, we are:

• developing cultural wellbeing measures with mana whenua

• using building sustainability rating tools such as the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia IS Rating Tool, Green Star and the Living Building Challenge

• exploring new funding mechanisms to ensure appropriate investment in natural assets

• using whole-of-life costing in asset planning and delivery

• developing an information portal to improve the flow of information between the council and the community.

Auckland Council will continue to engage with and support mana whenua, strategic partners and community stakeholders to link regional and local initiatives to create a greener Auckland.

Wynyard Quarter.

Read the full Auckland Growing Greener documentThis summary document gives a high level overview of what Auckland Growing Greener is and what it has been created to achieve.

More information is contained within the full document, available to download at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/aucklandgrowinggreener

Central to the vision of Auckland being the world’s most liveable city is a flourishing and resilient natural environment – one that contributes to our health and economy.

ISBN: 978-0-9941390-4-7 (Print) 978-0-9941390-5-4 (PDF)