Policies and initiatives > Direction 2. Better management of metropolitan growth > Policy 2.3

Policy 2.3 - Manage the sequence of development in growth areas so that services are available from early in the life of new communities

A more efficient and sustainable pattern of settlement is required at metropolitan level. Conversion of land on the fringe to urban use must be done in a way that contributes to the overall directions of a sustainable and compact city.

New land will be released in growth areas in a timely fashion to facilitate coordinated and cost-efficient provision of local and regional infrastructure, such as roads, public transport, water supply, sewerage, drainage, local parks, schools and local health and recreational facilities. Coordinated service delivery in these areas must also supply enough affordable land.

Fragmented urban growth in the growth areas could lead to significant extra financial, environmental and social costs, if infrastruc-ture agencies dealing with multiple development fronts are forced to invest in new capacity before the existing capacity is efficiently utilised.

Proper sequencing of development will avoid these costs and ensure that new communities will not have to wait for extended periods for taxpayer-funded education, health and public transport facilities because limited budgets have had to be spread over a wider range of growth fronts than necessary.

Developments will need to be structured to make a substantial financial contribution to the provision of infrastructure such as public facilities, public transport and roads – this may be achieved through partnerships between the public and private sectors.

Preferred development sequences will be defined, to better coordinate infrastructure planning and funding. This will include regular updating of an indicative 10 to 15-year development and land-supply program to identify the areas in which development is expected to meet projected housing demand.

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