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New Neighbourhood Takes First Step Forward

Wednesday 26 March 2008, 11:10AM

By Franklin District Council

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MOU
MOU Credit: Franklin District Council
West End
West End Credit: Franklin District Council

PUKEKOHE

Franklin District Council and the West End Residents and Landowners Association (WERLA) have signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as the first step towards a new, planned neighbourhood in Pukekohe.


The Franklin District Growth Strategy predicts that Pukekohe will grow by a staggering 149% over the next 50 years with more than 40,000 residents expected by 2051.


“By entering into the Memorandum of Understanding with WERLA, Franklin District Council is helping to ensure that growth happens with us, not to us, and that the District can afford it,” says Franklin District Council Mayor, Mark Ball.


The MOU is the beginning of a long process however the result will mark the first of the joint public and private sector initiatives for the planned development of a new residential area in Pukekohe.


“As we approach the resulting Plan Change we won’t be thinking about just housing people. We are looking to build a neighbourhood community through good urban design and the provision of a range of housing types, public facilities, recreation areas and links to transport options. It will be a new neighbourhood changing the face of Pukekohe and we want to get it right,” says Mark.


The MOU outlines how WERLA and Council will work towards developing a structure plan and notifying a Plan Change for the West End Area* which have good social, economic, cultural and environmental outcomes for current and future residents. The MOU doesn’t take away any of the resource management process, Council is still one hundred per cent committed to a fair and consultative process as required under the Resource Management Act.