FAQs
- Protect the things we value – our natural environment, local character, and heritage
- Make sure we have the right mix of housing, services, and facilities where people live
- Plan for growth so it’s managed well, not left to chance
- Coordinate investment in roads, water, and other infrastructure
What is a spatial plan?
A spatial plan is like a map and a guidebook rolled into one. It looks at how our towns, neighbourhoods, and rural areas are set up now – and how they could grow and change over the next 15 to 30 years.
It's about managing growth pressures and planning for all the things that make a place great to live in - like homes, parks, roads, walkways, cycleways, community spaces and place for work and businesses.
Think of it as a big-picture plan that helps us:
Spatial plans are being developed for Te Puna–Minden, Katikati, and Waihī Beach–Bowentown–Athenree in response to increasing growth pressures and the need for more up-to-date local planning. They are being progressed alongside the spatial plan already underway in Te Puke.
The plans also support Council’s Long Term Plan 2027–2037 and will contribute to a Regional Spatial Plan, which is expected under new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act.
In short, spatial plans guide how communities grow while protecting and enhancing what makes each place special, helping create safe, connected, and thriving neighbourhoods with homes, jobs, services, and public spaces that everyone can enjoy
Who sets the direction for a spatial plan?
Your feedback will help Council make choices about what should be included. Alongside feedback from the community through the Tō Wahi website, Community Ideas Forums will be used to help test ideas, explore values and trade-offs, and guide the framing of broader community engagement. Their role is advisory but influential.
We’re also working in partnership throughout the spatial plan process with Iwi/hapū to ensure their aspirations and values are incorporated into each spatial plan.
What are our Treaty of Waitangi obligations?
Under the Local Government Act 2002, Council is required to facilitate participation by Māori in local decision-making processes so, we are partnering with hapū on all Spatial Plans to ensure planning processes and decision-making about the rohe includes their perspectives, aspirations and values.
Who can participate in a Community Ideas Forum?
Anyone who lives in, works in, or has strong connections to the community. Those who are selected will sit on the Forum, alongside directly appointed community leaders, including elected members, iwi/hapū representatives and key stakeholders,
Who can contribute to a spatial plan?
Anyone. Especially those who live, work, play, use, or love the community for which the plan is being developed. Online and in person engagement with the wider community is planned in March/April 2026
How do spatial plans fit into the Government's Resource Management Reform programme?
On 24 March 2025, the Government announced the Blueprint for Resource Management Reform (RM Reform), aiming to replace the Resource Management Act 1991. In the Blueprint, spatial planning is given a vital role in the new planning system. Spatial plans will provide long-term, strategic direction to simplify and streamline the system. This will allow development within constraints, and better align land use, infrastructure planning, and investment.
What things does a spatial plan include?
Spatial plans look at how towns, neighbourhoods and rural areas are set up now, and how they could grow and change over the next 30 to 50 years. They are about planning for all the things that make a place great to live in - like homes, parks, roads, walkways, cycleway, community spaces and places for work and businesses. The final spatial plan will inform other planning processes, like potential zoning changes or investment decisions in future Long Term and Annual Plan processes
How is a spatial plan different to a structure plan, town centre plan or community plan?
A spatial plan is like a roadmap for our future, helping guide growth with a long-term vision. It brings together big-picture ideas about land use, infrastructure, and the environment. Town centre plans zoom in on the details, shaping how smaller, more specific areas will look and feel. A community plan focuses on what our community needs and values, ensuring that our plans reflect the heart and soul of our community. These may capture actions for a broad range of agencies and service providers, not just Council. Structure plans provide details on the specific physical layout and required infrastructure to support an enabled growth area, with the detail on timing and funding sources set out in the Long Term Plan.
There is a pothole in my street - will a spatial plan fix this?
A spatial plan is a tool for guiding our community's long-term growth. However, for local issues like a pothole in your street, we recommend reaching out directly to our team at Council who can help address maintenance and immediate concerns. You can contact us via email info@westernbay.govt.nz or phone 0800 926 732. use our online service request system. We're here to help ensure our streets are safe and well-maintained for everyone!
I want to develop my property - will the spatial plan allow me to do this?
A spatial plan is designed to be a guiding document for our community's future development. It provides a strategic framework for how areas can grow, identifying potential for development while balancing environmental and social factors. If you’re thinking about developing your property, a spatial plan is an excellent starting point to understand the broader vision for the area.
Does a spatial plan mean that my property will be rezoned?
A spatial plan can influence zoning decisions in the long run. However, it doesn't automatically change your property’s zoning. Actual rezoning involves a more specific plan change process.
Where else in the District are spatial plans being progressed? How were these locations identified?
Council is undertaking spatial planning processes in:
These areas were chosen due to increasing growth pressures and the need for more up to date local planning. They align with the key growth areas for our District within our sub-regional SmartGrowth Strategy. The Te Puke Spatial Plan process was commenced earlier, in response to matters identified through the Long Term Plan 2024-34 and also District Plan Change 92 (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Supporting Matters - Medium Density Residential Standards).