A small team tackling big issues
“Policies are important because they are used to clearly express planning intent, and guide decision making,” says Damon. “Without policies, every planning decision would be made in isolation, which would make it difficult to achieve collective aims.
“Policies help build communities, protect the environment, enhance economic value and improve choices for where and how people live and spend their leisure time in Rotorua.
Simon agrees, saying it’s about making it as easy as possible for residents to live, work and play in their own backyard.
Having been with Rotorua Lakes Council the longest, Simon has helped with multiple District Plan changes, including the entire review of the District Plan which started in 2009 and was signed off in 2016. He has helped create policies across the ever-changing planning landscape, requiring more and more consideration of our people and place.
“I think the biggest challenge for us planners is the evolving planning landscape, both at central and local government levels. Once you’ve finished one policy, it’s almost time to adapt to the next change,” Simon says.
Recent examples of this are the Future Development Strategy (FDS) and Plan Change 9, both adopted by Rotorua Lakes Council in the past six months and both significant pieces of work required by Central Government to ensure local authorities are preparing well for future growth.
Development and consultation on the FDS, the first of its kind for Rotorua, took two years and the team had to consider views from a huge range of interested parties, including government agencies, schools, businesses and local community groups. It also involved significant engagement with mana whenua to ensure iwi aspirations were identified and reflected.
“We aren’t just planning for the needs and interests of this generation, we have to anticipate what future generations are going to need,” Damon says.
“I think there is a misconception that we have a big policy planning team given the significant projects we undertake. We have to ensure that we have good engagement with our partners and the wider community. Our small team often goes beyond what’s required to make sure we try and hear the views of everyone.”
“These policies don’t just go on the shelf either,” explains Simon. “These are guiding documents and we really take on board and try to deliver on what people have asked of us. I enjoy that most about this job, having a constructive conversation about policy and understanding what our residents are passionate about.”
And it’s not just about planning cities, Kim says.
“Really our work is about a wide range of topics relating to land use.”
She is currently working on guidelines for the way people work within our unique geothermal environment. The guidelines are intended to encourage development that keeps people safe, healthy and comfortable, can withstand our geothermal environments and doesn’t exacerbate geothermal risks.
“Not a lot of people know the inter-disciplinary nature of the work. It goes beyond just planning and touches on engineering, architecture, human geography, economics, social science and natural sciences,” says Damon.
“We each have our strengths and interests which helps when delivering projects, and we have to involve a lot of other people from outside the organisation,” explains Kim.
“Although pretty lean, our team is super committed,” Damon says.. “We are solutions focused and we work well together. It means some long hours, but I can say we always opt to go the extra mile when it comes to working with the community.”
Up next on the policy planning agenda is putting the latest new policies into practice. The team are working on the FDS Implementation Plan, which will set out the detailed actions to deliver the FDS including any plans for rezoning (District Plan changes) and locality plans for new growth areas.
Also underway is the development of the Papakāinga toolkit, an action from Plan Change 9 which will help mana whenua with their aspirations to develop homes on their ancestral lands.
Get to know the Policy planning team
- Damon Mathfield – originally from Pietermartizburg in South Africa, he emigrated to New Zealand in 2014 and has worked for other councils in the North Island before joining Rotorua Lakes Council.
What do you do for fun?
I enjoy the gym and playing social hockey but have a real passion for fly fishing. Rotorua with its many rivers and lakes full of rainbow trout, makes it in my books a fly fishing paradise. What makes Rotorua special?
Rotorua has great natural attractions such as the lakes, forest and geothermal features and a CBD with a lot of potential. The diversity of the people in Rotorua make it a unique and interesting place to plan for. - Kim Smith – grew up a bit closer to Rotorua, over the hill in Tokoroa, but has lived in Gisborne more than anywhere else.
What do you do for fun?
Our family enjoys the outdoors and recently I’ve been learning to swim.
What makes Rotorua special?
Of course it’s the nature - our forest and lakes. - Simon Thurston – born and bred in Rotorua, he ended up at Rotorua Lakes Council straight out of university. He worked at council during his university years and wanted the opportunity to make a difference in the city where he grew up.
What do you do for fun?
I’m a big sports fan. I watch pretty much anything that’s on – Up the Wahs! What makes Rotorua special?
Our diverse environment, opportunities and cultural fabric. We have a caring community and the industry professionals are always great to work with.