Towards a Comprehensive Plan – Turning Manukau into a Super Metropolitan Centre and Looking After Southern Auckland

 

Work continues in advancing Manukau into a Super Metropolitan Centre. This work will be a long-term project, but a worthy long-term project for an area that needs much loving.

Readers of Talking Auckland will know the work and dedication going towards the #SuperManukau plan and can keep abreast of all the commentary as such through here:

What is little known is what TotaRim Consultancy is doing in advancing #SuperManukau as part of the #BetterAuckland work. This post will outline the multiple faceted approach TotaRim works with on #SuperManukau: clients, Auckland Council, and in part Auckland Transport (The Manukau South Link).

However, there is the question: Is the Manukau Super Metropolitan Centre concept ‘viable’? The simple answer to that question is ‘Yes.’

Take a listen to this 95bFM interview with Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse.
Credit and Reference to 95BM: http://www.95bfm.com/default,212359.sm

A thank you to the Deputy Mayor for the mention and acknowledgement – much appreciated.

What the interview and Talking Auckland’s track record reveal is two things:

1. The dedication that TotaRim via both Talking Auckland and Ben give in advancing projects for a #BetterAuckland
2. The multi-facet work TotaRim is engaged in working towards the Manukau Super Centre Metropolitan Concept

The Manukau Super Metropolitan Centre Concept illustrates the different aspects that TotaRim both offers and delivers. The range of TotaRim services on offer can be seen at the TotaRim Consultancy Limited – Services webpage.

 

TotaRim Consultancy Limited

 

I will use the Manukau Super Metropolitan Centre as an example of how TotaRim can work at a multi-faceted level.

Auckland Unitary Plan Services

To get the ball rolling on the Manukau Super Metropolitan Centre Concept, TotaRim Consultancy first had to understand what the Unitary Plan was and how it would affect Auckland. Under the current version of the draft Unitary Plan, Manukau is to be a Metropolitan Centre with an 18 storey height limit. TotaRim began advocating at first for Manukau to be upgraded into the City Centre Zone – the same as the CBD, before opting for the now Super Metropolitan Centre Concept (a blend of the City Centre Zone and Metropolitan Centre definitions).

With a basic agreement between TotaRim and Auckland Council around the draft Super Metropolitan Centre Concept , work continues in preparation for seeking an Area Plan for the Manukau City Centre Area

Urban Planning and Management & Transport Planning and Management

The ultimate goal for Manukau is two-fold:

1. Have the Super Metropolitan Centre (SMC) definition inserted into the Unitary Plan; this allows Albany or Takapuna to take up the SMC mantle when they are ready to do so
2. Have an operative Area Plan that will guide the development of Manukau over a long-term period

To achieve the above two points one needs a holistic approach and understanding in using both urban and transport planning principles. Ben uses the knowledge and skills gained as a Geographer to draw up concepts and plans for the Super Metropolitan Centre concept. As work advances towards and for the eventual Area Plan, TotaRim will be partnering up with RMA practitioners and Civil Engineers to make the plan as robust as possible before it becomes operative.

Local Government Advocacy

Since 2010 Ben has been advocating to Auckland Council in advancing the Manukau Super Metropolitan Centre Concept. Starting with his submission to the Auckland Plan in 2011 followed by his latest submission in 2013 to the draft Unitary Plan, Ben continues to meet and work with Council in advancing the SMC.

The next phase of the Manukau Super Metropolitan Centre Concept is TotaRim will be working with various council members, Local Boards and stakeholders in continuing to advocate to Auckland Council. The main thrust of the advocacy being:

1. Have the SMC definition inserted into the Unitary Plan; this allows Albany or Takapuna to take up the SMC mantle when they are ready to do so.
2. Have an operative Area Plan that will guide the development of Manukau over a long-term period

Ben and TotaRim are proud of the fact that they work with all sides of cooperative Council members as well as planners in order to pursue a #SuperManukau and a #BetterAuckland

Projects

All good projects need Project Planning, Management and Administration – unless you want the project to go awry and become a costly exercise. As the Manukau Super Metropolitan Centre concept advances, sound Project Management will be utilised. Andy Cawston – TotaRim’s Consulting Partner specialises in Project Management and will be utilising his expertise in making sure that the SMC project runs efficiently and does not go awry.

 

The Manukau Super Metropolitan Centre Concept is an example of TotaRim at work. The SMC also shows that TotaRim dedicates itself to stakeholders and their projects from beginning to end.

For more on TotaRim and what it can offer you: check totarim.co.nz

 

TALKING AUCKLAND

Related articles

• Manukau – What is the deal here? (voakl.net)
• Manukau Timeline (voakl.net)
• Palino wants second CBD for Auckland (nzherald.co.nz)