Media Release: 16 May 2013

Isolated Youth Must Be Heard on Draft Unitary Plan

Manurewa Local Board Member Simeon Brown is calling for all young people in South and Eastern Auckland to head along to a workshop he is organising in Manukau to support young people to have their voice heard on the draft Unitary Plan.

"Auckland Mayor Len Brown has said he is 'delighted' with how young people have engaged in the Unitary Plan, but quite frankly they have been isolated - especially in South Auckland," said Manurewa Local Board Member Simeon Brown, aged 22.

"All young people need a real opportunity to understand what this plan means to them, and need the ability to submit their feedback before it is too late, with submissions closing in two weeks.

"I was at a meeting organised by the Randwick Park Residents Association on Monday Night, where 80% of the young people who were there hadn't actually heard about the Unitary Plan.

"How can the Mayor be 'delighted' when the generation who will pay for this plan are not even aware that it is being consulted on?

"My generation is the generation which this plan will impact the most, and we should be at the forefront of the development of this plan.

"Auckland Mayor Len Brown is saying that 'we asked for a compact city', but any young person who understands the plan will know that the plan will do nothing to solve the need for affordable housing choices in our city. Instead it will squeeze thousands of young people into apartments which will line our rail corridor, making the kiwi dream a distant memory.

"This is simply a recipe for sending more aspirational young New Zealanders to Australia."

"I am committed to ensuring young people have a say, and have a voice on this plan. We are blessed to live in a democracy and can decide what our city should look like. This Saturday I have organised a workshop focused on bringing young people together to debate and discuss the future of our city face-to-face and to put in our feedback.

"I expect young people with a range of perspectives to come - and will be supporting them all to make and submit their feedback.

"This is what Auckland Council should have been organising right from the start - focusing on face-to-face debate and discussion with the future ratepayers of our city. Instead Auckland Council opted for 'social media' based engagement which is good, but by itself has been patronising and insufficient." Mr Brown said.

"The Unitary Plan needs to be a plan which we can all own and a plan which is developed by all Aucklanders. This can only happen if we are all given the opportunity to be part of the debate." Mr Brown said.

The Workshop this Saturday will be held at the Manukau Civic Centre between 12:30pm and 3pm in the Manukau Room. Refreshments will be provided.

ENDS

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