“The Global Research reports for the Spatial Plan and Draft District Plan formed the basis of our reporting back to our community and our Elected Representatives on these city shaping documents. The reports were written in an easy to read and follow way, making them accessible and understandable to these audiences. The Global Research Team were not phased by the lodgement of submissions through different channels and in different formats, and were responsive to Council’s feedback. The team efficiently and effectively pulled out key themes from very dense submissions and made a great contribution to supporting us move forward in city shaping conversations.”
Background and aims
In the 30 years between now and 2050, Wellington expects to welcome 80,000 new residents. The Draft Spatial Plan was produced as a guide to a compact, resilient, vibrant, prosperous, inclusive, connected, and greener Wellington that accommodates this projected population growth. The Draft Spatial Plan informed the District Plan, which acts as a blueprint for the functioning and decision making of Wellington City Council (WCC).
In late 2020, the WCC sought feedback on the Draft Spatial Plan. 2,897 citizens submitted to the engagement. Wellington City Council solicited general feedback on the Plan, posed questions about a range of specific issues, such as intensification, character retention, and suburban rapid transit centres, and prompted submitters to discuss development options in clearly defined areas.
The submission process for the draft Wellington District Plan was conducted in late 2021, and 1,034 submissions were received. Submissions fell into two groups: commentary concerning Part 1 of The Plan resembled thematic analysis and synthesis of points pertaining to multiple sections, while other submissions focused on particular sections of Parts 2, 3 and 4 of The Plan. A high number of submitters made multiple submissions; in total, 2,400 submissions were received.
Our role
Global Research synthesised and analysed both the 2,897 Draft Spatial Plan (2020) submissions and the 2,400 submissions on the Draft District Plan (2021).
The reporting for each project was similar. For each, a detailed synthesis report elucidated all topics referenced by submitters, while a summary report provided key findings in an easily consumable public-facing document.
All reports included clear summaries of sentiment and numerical data was clearly displayed in charts to indicate the balance of opinion. Informed by robust analysis, Global Research presented public comments concerning particular themes and topics in scrupulous detail. Rigorous discussion of these topics enabled us to synthesise every comment. Quotes from submitters were used to render the community’s views in their own words.
Design and method
For each question within the engagement, Global Research’s team of analysts systematically read and coded (sorted) comments. Though Global Research retained the questioning framework provided by WCC, all themes and topics were derived from the responses themselves. By reading and organising every response into themes and topics, we were able to distil large volumes of information into concise points and clearly distinguish areas of agreement and disagreement.
Result
Wellington City Council were provided with thorough, easily understood, and navigable reports, enabling them to observe the precise extent to which Wellingtonians supported or opposed various aspects of the Draft Spatial Plan (2020) and Draft District Plan (2021).
The breakdown of data by suburb/area and by discrete topics such as transport, the built and natural environments, heritage, social issues, and infrastructure helped WCC to develop a greater understanding of the primary issues and priorities for different segments of Wellington’s population. Providing a base of coherent and applicable public sentiment empowered WCC to craft a District Plan that reflects the needs and values of Wellingtonians.
Further information about the two processes and subsequent reporting can be read at the links below:
Wellington City Council spatial plan process
Global Research full report on the Spatial Plan
Wellington City Council Draft District Plan process
Global Research Full District Plan Report
Global Research Summary District Plan Report
Outcome
WCC adopted the final Spatial Plan in 2021. This contributed to the formulation of the Draft District Plan, for which public engagement was undertaken in 2021/2022 (analysis of this engagement was also conducted by Global Research). The Draft District Plan’s composition was followed by the public release of the Proposed District Plan in July 2022.
The development of a District Plan is a complex and detailed process. Details of what has happened and is happening regarding the development of Wellington’s District Plan can be found here.
WCC subsequently embarked on the Proposed District Plan process
The Council publicly notified the Proposed District Plan for formal consultation under the Resource Management Act 1991 on 18 July 2022. The Council received 497 ‘primary’ submissions on the plan, and many ‘further submissions’ in support or opposition of those submissions. The WCC team undertook analysis and coding of all submissions.
Hearings commenced in January 2023. This granted submitters an opportunity to speak to their submission before an Independent Hearings Panel (IHP) of resource management commissioners.
Some significant decisions have been made on the new plan
On 14 March 2024 the Council’s Environment and Infrastructure | Kōrau Tūāpapa Committee resolved to adopt and approve most of the recommendations of the Panel on submissions considered in Hearing Streams 1 – 5.
These recommendations related largely to housing and commercial intensification, but also included matters such as natural hazards, historic heritage and industrial land.
The Committee also resolved to reject a number of Panel recommendations and to refer alternative recommendations to Minister Chris Bishop to make a final determination.
On 8 May 2024, the Minister for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, announced his decisions on the IPI recommendations referred to him by the Council.
The Minister accepted some of the Independent Hearings Panel’s recommendations and rejected others, accepting instead the Council’s alternatives.
The cumulative effect of decisions is a substantial change in the enabled built form of Wellington City.
Key changes include:
Increasing walking catchments to allow housing intensification – from Tawa in the north to Newtown in the south.
Intensification of the Kilbirnie suburban centre to be first subject to community consultation.
Classifying the Johnsonville railway line as ‘rapid transit’ - enabling housing developments of up to six storeys close to rail stations along the line’s route.
Extending the central city zone south on Adelaide Rd toward Newtown and making bigger (15-minute) walking catchments, providing for more housing units.
Reducing the city’s ‘character areas’ from 206 hectares to 85 hectares.
A comprehensive summary of the main District Plan decisions – and their impacts – can be found here.
Hearings continue on the remainder of the Proposed District Plan throughout 2024.