Western Bay of Plenty growing up and out

7 September 2021

The Western Bay of Plenty is projected to grow by 200,000 people, or 95,000 new homes, over the next 70 years. This will create two million extra trips in the region each day – by car, bus, ferry, train, bike or on foot.

In 2018 Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Waka Kotahi and He Manukura, a panel representing tangata whenua, started planning how to respond as the region grows up and out.

We’ve worked together to create good urban design, which helps make cities, towns and communities in this region well-connected, pleasant places to live. Transport projects impact the spaces we all live, work and play in, which is why we collaborate with councils and other organisations on urban planning projects, like this one.

In July 2020, the Connected Centres programme final report was released. It aims to: build more close-knit communities, reduce car-dependency and carbon emissions and make it safe and easy for people to get to where they need to go.

The transport improvements delivered through this programme will also maintain key freight routes to the Port of Tauranga. As the population grows, people are likely to have access to:

• high-frequency buses and transport hubs, including for rail and ferries, that enable people to change between routes easily and safety
• better connected walkways and cycleways to connect local communities
• more places to securely park bikes and scooters.

In 2021–24, detailed planning for delivering the programme will continue. It’s a long-term plan, so while local people won’t see changes for some time, mahi (work) done now will help shape big changes in the future.

2021–24 NLTP Te Moana-a-Toi | Bay of Plenty regional summary