Long Term Plan

Long Term Plan 2021-2031

Our vision

Fertile land Heretaunga whenua houkura, Prosperous people Heretaunga Hapori ora

Our focus is on protecting and enhancing our fertile land and life-giving waters, and helping the people of this place fulfil their aspirations and prosper together.

To achieve this we have four areas that encompass our strategic priorities for the next 10 years.

Within these four pillars we have identified eight key work areas that we will be focused on over the next 10 years to achieve the outcomes our community has told us are important for the district’s future aspirations and ongoing wellbeing.

Some of these are new initiatives while others build on the work that’s already underway.

The economic powerhouse

From enabling and supporting development on our industrial zones to enhancing our city centre to encourage retail and residential activity we are focused on leveraging the economic potential of our growing district. Our aim is for there to be meaningful and valued job opportunities, that our district is a leader in food innovation, with an eye on diversifying to a knowledge-based economy.

Work programme:
Hastings City Centre – Inner city living, parking sensor technology, CBD Quest Hotel
Havelock North Village Centre – Strategic parking acquisition, Joll Rd upgrade, hospitality enhancements
Industrial land uptake – Ōmahu and Irongate, development assistance
Economic development – Business enablement and investment, Great Things Grow Here, Events strategy, regional economic development strategy and actions

Homes for our People

Our district is facing a critical housing shortage and we will continue to enable the development of new housing while at the same time ensuring our fertile soils are protected. Working in partnership with Central Government and other partners on housing projects is a big body of work that is underway and we will also be rethinking and looking at future opportunities for council housing.

Work programme:
Residential growth – Lyndhurst, Iona, Howard, Havelock Hills, Brookvale, papakainga, medium density housing, Flaxmere housing
Community housing – affordable housing, Tarbet St, other partnerships

Getting around

Connecting people to each other, o places and to products and markets is vital and this requires investment in improving our ageing roading assets as well as progressing the use of freight hubs and road/rail/port integration. Developing sustainable transport alternatives is also a focus.

Work programme:
Key routes – Karamū Rd corridor, St Aubyn and Pakowhai corridors, North Eastern Connector (longer term)
Efficient streets – LED street light conversions
Walking and cycling – Complete network development strategy
Ageing roads – safety improvements, renewal escalations (sealed road pavements, footpaths, drainage, traffic services)

Rural living

Our economic success is linked to the success of our rural areas and communities and we are putting an emphasis on the sustainability of our rural roading network, adaptation to new land use and farming futures, and enhanced rural connectivity (technology and communication).

Work programme:
Bridge strategy – completion of bridge strengthening programme
Ageing roads - renewal escalations (unsealed road metalling, maintenance seals, sealed road pavements, drainage improvements)
Rural support – Government rural halls support, Government marae support

Our natural treasures

Sustainable land use and the preservation and enhancement of our natural resources and spaces are key considerations underpinning everything our council does. This includes promoting water energy and efficiency, enhancing biodiversity, climate agility, nurturing iconic landscapes and managing healthy waterways.

Work programme:
Water supply – drinking water strategy, demand management strategy, renewals and consent compliance
Wastewater – trunk main renewals, pump station upgrades, treatment plant renewals, consent compliance
Stormwater – stormwater quality improvement, Caroline Rd stormwater extension, Pakowhai stormwater catchment
Refuse – WMMP waste minimisation, Ōmarunui landfill development
Environmental enhancement – Biodiversity HB support, Pop-up irrigation, Havelock North stream enhancement, care group support, Sustaining HB Support

City centre revitalisation

Our city centre revitalisation programme of activities is all about getting people into the city centre for work and play, supporting a successful business community and thriving economy.

Work programme:
Hastings city centre – CBD vibrancy and activation plan, events, Civic Square and Central Mall projects, cultural precinct

Pathways for our people

Our people are key to our success and we continue to find ways to empower through recognition of our cultural differences, providing employment opportunities for our young people, and improving equity in jobs, income and health outcomes.

Work programme:
Youth development – youth potential, youth employment, youth council, rangatahi hub
Working with mana whenua – Māori language strategy, hapu-council engagement policy, wahi taonga project, Government marae support

Enhancing where we live

Fostering connections, providing opportunities and improving safety in our neighbourhoods are fundamental to the wellbeing of district. From the masterplans to rejuvenate Flaxmere and Camberley, to enbling marae-based settlement development to planning for the future of our coastal settlements, we want to ensure our communities are thriving and resilient.

Work programme:
Recreation/leisure – Regional Sports Park, A&P Showgrounds, Waipatiki campground
Aquatics – Splash Planet futures, pools asset management plan
Play facilities – 12 playground upgrades and three new playgrounds
Reserve upgrades – Windsor Park, Cape Coast, Cornwall, Keirunga, Waimārama, Havelock North domain, Raureka, sportsground changing rooms (Akina Park, Frimley, Ron Georgi, Kirkpatrick, St Leonards)
Community planning – Place plans for Mahora, Raureka, Bridge Pa, Te Pōhue, Flaxmere Town Centre plan
Community safety – earthquake prone buildings, emergency response plans, safe communities coalition, coastal infrastructure and cell plans

View the Long Term Plan 2021/31 (adopted June 2021)

View the Long Term Plan Amendment for Growth Infrastructure (adopted July 2023)

View the Long Term Plan Amendment for Cyclone Gabrielle Voluntary Category 3 Residential Property Purchases