Spatial Plans

Council has committed to developing comprehensive Spatial Plans for the District and its townships. The Plans outline the long-term vision and development goals for areas while providing a strategic framework for land use, infrastructure development, and environmental management.

Why are Spatial Plans Important?

Spatial Plans play a crucial role in guiding sustainable development and ensuring efficient allocation of resources. They help shape the physical environment, promote economic growth, protect natural resources, and enhance quality of life for residents.

How Can Spatial Plans Benefit You?

By accessing our database of Spatial Plans, you gain valuable insights into the future growth and development plans for Ruapehu District and its townships. This information can inform decision-making process, whether you're a business owner looking to invest or a resident planning for the future.

Why does Ruapehu need Spatial Plans?

NZ is going through a period of major legislative and structural change which will have deep seated implications for rural communities and their way of life. The Spatial Plans provide the platform for Ruapehu and its townships to proactively influence their future opportunities and way of life.

Maintaining a community voice and local influence

One of the key outcomes of the review of the Resource Management Act (RMA) was the recommendation to establish a Strategic Planning Act (SPA). An important function of the Strategic Planning Act (SPA) is a mandatory requirement for regional strategic plans (regional spatial planning) with the aim of enabling more effective planning for urban growth and land use change.

These outcomes are intended to be achieved via a raft of supporting legislation notably; the Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA), Local Government Act (LGA), Land Transport Management Act (LTMA) and Climate Change Response Act (CCRA).

With this shift to a legislated regional planning approach it is critical that a strong local, independent voice from councils and their communities is maintained in any significant planning decisions. Spatial Plans outline our (local) vision and priorities for growth and development providing a critical link in maintaining local influence on regionally imposed strategic planning.

The Spatial Plan will also serve to influence the planning and investment decisions by government agencies such as Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), Kainga Ora (state housing), the Ministry of Education (MoE) and other agencies such as the new water entities created under the Three Waters Reform.

Influence on Council planning and strategic thinking

In addition to influencing regional, Ministry and Agency planning processes the Spatial Plan will inform Council’s own key planning and strategy documents.

The District Plan, Long Term and Annual Plans, Asset Management Plans and strategy documents such as for infrastructure, economic development and housing amongst others will reflect the Spatial Plan.