MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE AUCKLAND REGIONAL GROWTH FORUM

Regional Growth Forum backs Government's sustainability plan 19 February 2003

Auckland Regional Growth Forum and Regional Council (ARC) chairperson Gwen Bull says the government's Sustainable Development for New Zealand Programme of Action is well supported by the region's own Growth Strategy.

Cr. Bull added at today's Growth Forum meeting that excellent relations between local government in Auckland and central government have never been more important.

"New Zealand cannot return to a better position on the OECD rankings without the Auckland region, and the Auckland region cannot maximise its contribution to New Zealand without support from, and a partnership with, central government," said Cr Bull.

"The Auckland region has key impediments right now, particularly regarding major infrastructure. If we are to make progress we have to do it together. The Regional Growth Strategy has gone a long way to creating important working partnerships in the region and the sustainable development initiative will strengthen these partnerships."

The Programme of Action follows the recommendations of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment and the World Summit of Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in August 2002. The focus is on four key areas - the quality and allocation of freshwater; energy; sustainable cities and investing in child and youth development.

For more information on the Sustainable Development for New Zealand Programme of Action go to: www.mfe.govt.nz

Have you joined The Big Clean Up? Help the environment by joining in at www.arc.govt.nz or phone 0800 JOIN IN (56 46 46)

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