Sustainable Development and Local Government Ann Magee Chair LGNZ Sustainable Development Project Team 17 June 2005

Local Government Act Enable democratic local decision- making..S.10 Provides for local authorities to play a broad role in promoting the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of their communities, taking a sustainable development approach (S.3)

Local Government Act In taking a sustainable development approach, a local authority should take into account: –Social, economic and cultural well- being of people and communities –The need to maintain and enhance the quality of the environment –The reasonably foreseeable needs of the future generations

Sustainable Development Programme of Action Focus “Sustainable development must be at the core of all government policy …” 1 of 3 key documents –Growing an Innovative NZ –Key Government Goals for the Public Sector –Sustainable Development Programme of Action

Sustainable Development Programme of Action “It builds on recent strategies (and) the new local government legislation which gives local authorities a mandate to take the lead in achieving sustainable development locally”

Sustainable Development Strategies Biodiversity Strategy National Waste Strategy Regional Economic Development/GIF Agenda for Children Kyoto protocol National Land Transport Strategy NEECS (Energy) Voluntary Sector Strategy Land Transport Management Act Building Act

Sustainable Development Programme of Action Key areas: Infusing a sustainable development approach / government sector Water Energy Sustainable Cities Investing in children & youth

Sustainability Framework Equity Inclusion Security Quality of life Impact on environmental quality Economic growth

Key Drivers - Global Finite Resources Rising inequity Carbon constraints Water crisis/energy crisis Rising risks Alternatives exist (value-based strategies)

Sustainable Development Strategies – Local Government Regional Auckland Regional Growth Strategy Lake Taupo / Waikato River Clean Air (Canterbury, Auckland) Economic growth strategies

Sustainable Development – Local Government Sector base – capability, initiatives Waitakere Eco City/collaboration Christchurch Sustainability/energy Kaikoura Green Globe 30+ zero waste communities, TLAs Tomorrow’s Manukau Early LTCCPs

Costs Replacement needed about every 150 years Cost to replace $500 to $1300 per metre Asset values depreciate over time Replacement may never be needed Cost to develop $140 to $1000 per metre Asset values appreciate over time Costs of pipingCosts of ‘natural treatment’ 72% saving (excl. land purchase costs)

Auckland Regional Response to SDPA – Sustainable Cities Pilot for process / actions Basis –Builds on strengths (Regional Growth Strategy) –Removes barriers (Transport) –Supports wellbeing –Economic goals integral

Regional Drivers – “Opportunities” Energy Vulnerability Population Growth (400,000 over 20 years) Transport/Urban quality Inequalities (wellbeing, health, income) Competitiveness Environmental damage Public/Private investment (squillions?)

Regional Context - Change Government Sector - emphasis on Sustainable Development Regional, City, 10 Year Plans ( ) Land use/transport funding aligned (LG(A)AA by 2007?) Built Environment Programme

SDPOA – Auckland Pilot (Sustainable Cities) Transport/urban form (Walking School Buses) Sustainable communities (Twin Streams) Investing in Children and Youth (Education/Citizens) Urban Form Design and Development –change rules, examples –sustainable Auckland by 2010?

Workstrand: Transport & Urban Form Why this workstrand was chosen Auckland’s sprawling urban form Poor linkage between transport and urban form Long trips, heavy reliance on private vehicles Problems of congestion & environmental impacts Overall Objective: Build & foster Auckland region urban communities where sustainable transport choices are the norm

Urban Form Design & Development (UFDD)

Objective Encourage, promote and guide more sustainable urban form, design and development in the Auckland region, including building design location and construction.

Outcomes Sustainable building standards and practice Increased knowledge and buy-in to sustainable UFDD Strategic public investment decisions by Auckland local authorities and central government

Project Streams Urban Form Design & Development Sustainable Standards  Building Code Review  Sustainable Building Index Sustainable Practice  Public Buildings  Houses  Town Centres Applying Research  Research Sector Connections  Social Impacts of Intensification  Affordable Housing Infusing Sustainability  Urban Design Protocol  Regional Policy Statement  Unit Titles Act

UFDD - Focus Building Act (sustainability core) Building Code (sustainability elements) Better urban design / intensification quality Standards for sustainable buildings, housing, neighbourhoods, town centres, catchments Public buildings meet best practice standards Demonstration projects (NB: meshes with Transport, Children & Youth, Community & Migrant programmes)

Progress to Date Influencing Building Code Review Promoting TUSC tool Research projects and sector connections Preparing evidential basis and practice notes for Sustainable Public Buildings Urban Design Protocol sign-up

Project to June 2006 Sustainable Public Buildings 2007 –Evidential basis, guidelines/practice notes –Physical demonstrations Sustainable Building Index –Programme for implementation of TUSC Other research, improved networks, …

Research Initiatives $14M FRST money plus other sources Mostly 6-year programmes with potential to partner with Councils Beacon: retrofitting houses, new technologies, neighbourhood design TUSC: flexible performance-based assessment tool for sites and catchments

What We Have Learned Collaboration benefits Dedicated resourcing required Clear agenda vision works Entrenched silos remain Lack urban specialists Agenda for cities set by “others” How well do we understand metropolitan cities / regions

Sustainable Cities We know broadly what we want From Sprawl To more Compact City

Drivers Ecological footprint

“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” Peter Drucker