DPA welcomes the acknowledgement in the Spatial Planning Bill of the centrality of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and protection of customary rights.

Disabled people are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change and are at greater risk from natural hazards such as earthquakes and flooding. The recent record floods in Auckland have highlighted the plight of disabled people caught in the floods.  

The increasing frequency of these extreme weather events emphasise the need for robust regional spatial planning and resilient infrastructure for built environments including housing, transport, water and power.

DPA welcomes the explicit requirement for regional spatial strategies to consider risks arising from natural hazards and areas vulnerable to the effects of climate change. However, we are concerned that regional spatial plans are not required to also explicitly consider the impact on specific communities, including disabled people, which are more at risk from the effects of climate change and natural hazards.

DPA strongly recommends that the spatial planning bill:

1.    Require regional planning committees to consider the impact of regional spatial strategies on communities that are at greater risk from the effects of climate change and natural hazards, including disabled people.
2.    Explicitly require regional planning committees to consider the needs of disabled people in the development of the regional spatial strategies and implementation plans.
3.    Strengthen clause 32 to specify a requirement to consult with disabled people and their representative organisations in the Engagement Process as part of governments obligations under the UNCRPD.


Read the full DPA Submission on the Spatial Planning Bill [Word Doc]