Help us plan Napier’s future

Published: 6 August 2021

What if every new housing development had to include water tanks for stormwater storage?

Should fences have height restrictions?

The answers to these questions – and the reasons these suggestions have been made in the first place - in the draft Napier District Plan.

A District Plan can be likened to a rulebook on how to develop a city, while also safeguarding it for the future. It provides guidance to developers on the outcomes we would like for Napier, while limiting negative effects on the environment.

Protecting Napier’s natural features and landscapes is as significant a part of the plan as controlling fence heights to increase visibility and improve safety, says Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise. “These things couldn’t be more different, but they are both governed by the District Plan rules. This review gives residents the chance to say what they think we’re doing well, and what we could do better as our city grows.

“The District Plan impacts residents in many ways, and we need to bring our thinking up to date in terms of where our community’s future needs are and priorities lie.”

We have focused on achieving six outcomes. They include improving water quality in our estuary, managing our stormwater, enabling a Regional Park; and having great urban areas to achieve safe and well-connected neighbourhoods.

Accompanying the plan are extensive best practice design guidelines. These aim to ensure  Napier is vibrant and sustainable, while protecting our unique Art Deco heritage.

Alongside the draft District Plan, we have developed a Spatial Picture. This is the first step in creating a plan to manage Napier’s future growth, and the 3500 more homes we expect to need over the next decade.

We also need to provide enough land across Hawke’s Bay for industrial and commercial business growth. 

To find out more, and give us your feedback on the Draft District Plan or Spatial Picture, go to sayitnapier.nz

Consultation closes on 17 September.

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