2 March 2005

Waikato joins Auckland’s Growth Forum

Environment Waikato Chair, Jenni Vernon, joined the Auckland Regional Growth Forum today, signalling that the Auckland region’s growth issues spread beyond geographic boundaries.

Regional Growth Forum chairman Michael Lee extended the invitation to Northland Regional Council and Environment Waikato at the end of last year. Cr Vernon and Northland Regional Council Chair Mark Farnsworth joined the forum’s first meeting for 2005, held today.

Cr Lee says that inviting representatives from neighbouring regional authorities acknowledges that growth and development issues in Auckland have implications for all northern New Zealand.

“If the Regional Growth Strategy is really going to deliver results then we not only need to be working together within the region but we also need to be working with our neighbours, and with Government.”

Environment Waikato Chair, Cr Jenni Vernon says that this is an important forum, particularly as Aucklanders need to go through the Waikato region if they want to go anywhere south.

“The regional growth forum is smart integrated management in action, and it’s important that we work together to address the growth issues that we are all facing.”

Crs Farnsworth and Vernon have joined the Forum as observers, and while they do not have voting rights are able to participate in discussion, and will receive all reports. The Regional Growth Forum meets quarterly, and includes representatives from all eight councils in the Auckland region.

ENDS

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