AI Policy Making Day 5: Back on Track (and in the flow)
Midjourney prompt: A buddhist monk calmly riding a roller coaster --ar 7:4
Let's continue. We were up to the Social Wellbeing Topic in the Strategic Direction Chapter. Can you provide some text for the "Introduction and Context" heading. Your previously suggested content outline was "This subsection could explain the importance of social wellbeing in the context of resource management and sustainable development, and how it aligns with the principles of the Resource Management Act."
**Introduction and Context**
Social wellbeing is a critical dimension of sustainable development and community resilience. It encompasses aspects such as health, education, recreation, culture, and safety, which contribute to the quality of life of individuals and communities in the Kaipara District. Recognising and addressing social wellbeing is essential for creating a district that is vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable, where people can live, work, and thrive.
The Resource Management Act (RMA) emphasises sustainable management of natural and physical resources, a principle that is intrinsically linked to social wellbeing. Sound resource management can enhance social wellbeing by ensuring that the natural and built environment supports the health and welfare of the community, both now and for future generations. It is the responsibility of local authorities, under the RMA, to manage the use, development, and protection of land and other resources in a way that enables people and communities to provide for their social wellbeing.
In the context of the Kaipara District, social wellbeing is intertwined with the unique cultural, environmental, and economic characteristics of the region. The district's rich Māori heritage, diverse natural landscapes, and emerging economic opportunities all contribute to its social fabric. Therefore, enhancing social wellbeing requires a holistic approach that acknowledges and integrates these factors.
This topic of the Strategic Direction chapter outlines the Council's approach to promoting social wellbeing within the framework of the RMA and in alignment with the National Planning Standards. It sets the strategic direction for managing growth, development, and change in a way that strengthens social wellbeing, while respecting the district's unique cultural heritage and natural environment. It also highlights the challenges and opportunities that the district faces in enhancing social wellbeing and presents strategies to address them.
This approach reflects the Council's commitment to working collaboratively with the community, iwi, and other stakeholders to make the Kaipara District a place where all residents can enjoy a high quality of life and participate fully in the social, economic, and cultural life of the district. Through this plan, the Council seeks to create a strong foundation for social wellbeing that will endure and evolve with the district over time.
Great. Let's see some content for the "Social Wellbeing Objectives" heading based on the outline you provided earlier in our conversation.
**Social Wellbeing Objectives**
The overarching goal of these objectives is to ensure that social wellbeing is integrated into the district's planning and development processes. These objectives reflect the unique social, cultural, and environmental context of the Kaipara District and are designed to guide decision-making at all levels of resource management.
1. **Inclusive and Connected Communities**: Foster inclusive, connected, and resilient communities that cater to the diverse needs, aspirations, and wellbeing of all residents. This includes a focus on enabling access to community facilities, services, and spaces that support social interaction, recreation, and cultural expression.
2. **Access to Quality Services and Facilities**: Ensure that all residents of the Kaipara District have access to a range of quality services and facilities that contribute to their health, education, and general wellbeing. This encompasses elements such as health and social services, educational facilities, libraries, and recreational amenities.
3. **Healthy and Safe Environments**: Create and maintain built and natural environments that are safe, healthy, and conducive to wellbeing. This involves managing environmental hazards, ensuring the quality of air, water, and soil, and promoting designs and developments that enhance community safety and health.
4. **Cultural Wellbeing and Heritage**: Recognise and respect the cultural diversity, heritage, and traditions of the Kaipara District, particularly those of Māori. This includes protecting sites of cultural significance, supporting the expression of cultural identity, and fostering a sense of belonging and pride in the community.
5. **Affordable and Quality Housing**: Facilitate the provision of a range of affordable, quality housing options that cater to diverse community needs and contribute to the wellbeing of residents. This includes addressing housing affordability, encouraging diverse housing types, and ensuring that residential development is integrated with infrastructure and services.
6. **Community Resilience**: Strengthen the resilience of communities to environmental, economic, and social changes and challenges, including those arising from natural hazards and climate change. This involves promoting adaptive capacity, enhancing local self-sufficiency, and ensuring that the needs of vulnerable groups are addressed.
7. **Public Participation and Decision-Making**: Encourage and facilitate public participation in resource management decision-making, ensuring that the views of the community are heard and considered. This includes promoting transparency, engaging with iwi and hapū, and fostering a collaborative approach to managing the district's resources.
Through the implementation of these objectives, the Kaipara District Council seeks to enhance the social wellbeing of the district's residents and ensure that their needs and aspirations are reflected in the district's growth and development.
And now text for the "Strategies and Actions" heading please.
**Strategies and Actions**
The following strategies and actions are designed to operationalise the social wellbeing objectives, providing a clear framework for how the Council, in partnership with the community, iwi, hapū, and other stakeholders, will work towards achieving these objectives:
1. **Inclusive and Connected Communities**
* Develop and implement policies that promote community inclusiveness and connectivity, including those related to land use planning, public transportation, and community facilities.
* Support initiatives that foster community interaction, cultural expression, and social cohesion.
2. **Access to Quality Services and Facilities**
* Work with relevant government agencies and service providers to facilitate access to a range of quality services and facilities.
* Prioritise the maintenance and enhancement of community facilities and services, including libraries, recreational facilities, and health services.
3. **Healthy and Safe Environments**
* Implement planning and design standards that promote healthy and safe environments, taking into account aspects such as environmental quality, hazard management, and community safety.
* Collaborate with stakeholders to manage environmental hazards and enhance the district's environmental quality.
4. **Cultural Wellbeing and Heritage**
* Protect and manage sites of cultural significance in partnership with iwi, hapū, and the wider community.
* Promote initiatives that foster cultural expression, enhance community identity, and celebrate the district's heritage.
5. **Affordable and Quality Housing**
* Facilitate the provision of diverse and affordable housing through appropriate planning and policy measures.
* Ensure that residential development is well-integrated with infrastructure and services, and that it contributes to the creation of quality, liveable environments.
6. **Community Resilience**
* Implement policies and initiatives that enhance community resilience, including those related to climate change adaptation, hazard management, and local self-sufficiency.
* Address the needs of vulnerable groups in the district's planning and decision-making processes.
7. **Public Participation and Decision-Making**
* Foster public participation in the district's resource management processes, using methods that are accessible, inclusive, and meaningful.
* Strengthen partnerships with iwi, hapū, and the wider community, ensuring their perspectives are integrated into the district's decision-making.
By implementing these strategies and actions, the Kaipara District Council, in partnership with the community, will work towards creating a socially resilient district where everyone can enjoy a high quality of life.
And can we see text for the "Social Infrastructure" heading?
**Social Infrastructure**
Social infrastructure refers to the facilities, services, and networks that help individuals, families, groups and communities meet their social needs, maximise their potential for development, and enhance community wellbeing. It includes services and facilities that contribute to an individual's and community's health, education, recreation, cultural expression and social interaction.
The following are key aspects of social infrastructure that the Kaipara District Council will focus on:
1. **Education Facilities**: These include primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions, as well as other facilities that provide lifelong learning opportunities. The Council will work with education providers and relevant stakeholders to ensure these facilities are adequately provided for and accessible to all residents.
2. **Health Services**: Health services are a crucial component of social infrastructure. The Council will advocate for and facilitate the provision of comprehensive health services within the district, including hospitals, clinics, and mental health services.
3. **Recreational and Cultural Facilities**: These facilities, including parks, sports facilities, libraries, museums, and cultural centres, play a crucial role in promoting health and wellbeing, fostering community cohesion, and facilitating cultural expression. The Council will ensure that these facilities are well-maintained, accessible, and meet the diverse needs of the community.
4. **Community and Social Services**: These services, which include child care centres, elderly care facilities, and social support services, are essential for meeting the diverse needs of the district's residents. The Council will work with service providers and relevant stakeholders to facilitate the provision of these services.
5. **Public Spaces**: Public spaces, such as streets, plazas, and parks, are important for social interaction, community engagement, and cultural activities. The Council will ensure that these spaces are safe, inclusive, and conducive to community wellbeing.
The Kaipara District Council recognises the critical role that social infrastructure plays in facilitating social wellbeing. It is committed to working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that social infrastructure in the district is responsive to community needs, accessible to all residents, and resilient to future challenges.
And now text under the heading "Collaboration and Partnerships" please.
**Collaboration and Partnerships**
Promoting social wellbeing is a shared responsibility that requires the collective effort of various stakeholders. The Council recognises the importance of collaboration and partnerships in achieving the social wellbeing objectives of the district. Collaborative partnerships enable the pooling of resources, sharing of knowledge, and coordination of efforts, leading to more efficient and effective outcomes.
Here are some of the key collaborations and partnerships that the Council will focus on:
1. **Inter-agency Collaboration**: The Council will work closely with other local and regional authorities, government agencies, and non-governmental organisations to coordinate efforts, share knowledge, and leverage resources for promoting social wellbeing.
2. **Partnerships with Iwi and Hapū**: In line with the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Council will continue to strengthen its relationships with Iwi and Hapū. These partnerships are crucial for understanding and addressing the social wellbeing needs of Māori in the district.
3. **Collaboration with Community Organisations**: Community organisations play a crucial role in addressing local needs and fostering social wellbeing. The Council will work with these organisations to identify community needs, support their initiatives, and facilitate community-led solutions.
4. **Engagement with Business Sector**: The Council recognises the role of the business sector in creating jobs, providing services, and contributing to the economic wellbeing of the district. It will engage with businesses to promote corporate social responsibility and encourage business practices that contribute to social wellbeing.
5. **Partnerships with Education and Health Institutions**: The Council will partner with education and health institutions to promote learning opportunities, health services, and wellbeing initiatives in the district.
The Council is committed to fostering an environment of collaboration and partnerships. It believes that through collective effort, the district can effectively address its social wellbeing challenges and create a more inclusive, resilient, and thriving community.
And now text for "Addressing Inequalities" please.
**Addressing Inequalities**
Addressing social, economic, and environmental inequalities is central to promoting social wellbeing and achieving the district's vision of sustainable development. Inequalities can manifest in various forms, such as income disparities, unequal access to resources and services, and differential exposure to environmental risks and hazards. These inequalities can create barriers to social participation, limit opportunities for development, and exacerbate social and health issues.
The Council is committed to addressing these inequalities and promoting a more equitable and inclusive district. Here are the key strategies for addressing inequalities:
1. **Promoting Inclusive Planning and Decision-making**: The Council will ensure that the diverse voices and perspectives of the district's communities are included in planning and decision-making processes. It will use inclusive engagement and consultation methods to ensure that the needs and concerns of all community members, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalised, are heard and considered.
2. **Improving Access to Essential Services**: The Council will strive to ensure equitable access to essential services such as housing, healthcare, education, and transportation. It will work with partners to address service gaps, improve the quality and affordability of services, and enhance service accessibility for those living in remote and underserved areas.
3. **Addressing Economic Disparities**: The Council will work to reduce economic disparities through strategies that promote economic inclusion, such as supporting job creation, promoting skills development, and facilitating access to economic opportunities. It will also advocate for policies and programs that address income inequality and poverty.
4. **Reducing Environmental Inequities**: The Council will strive to ensure that all communities have equal access to environmental goods, such as clean air, clean water, and green spaces, and are equally protected from environmental harms and hazards. It will pay special attention to the environmental health risks faced by disadvantaged communities and will implement measures to reduce these risks.
5. **Promoting Social Inclusion and Diversity**: The Council recognises the district's cultural diversity as a strength. It will promote social inclusion by celebrating diversity, fostering intercultural understanding, and combating discrimination and social exclusion.
By addressing inequalities, the Council aims to create a district where all residents have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute to the community, regardless of their social, economic, or cultural background.
And now some text for "Resilience and Adaption" please.
**Resilience and Adaptation**
Resilience and adaptation are key aspects of social wellbeing and sustainable development. They refer to the capacity of individuals, communities, and systems to anticipate, withstand, and bounce back from stresses and shocks, and to adapt and evolve in response to changing conditions and challenges.
In the context of the Kaipara District, resilience and adaptation are particularly important given the environmental, social, and economic challenges the district faces, such as climate change impacts, demographic changes, economic shifts, and natural hazards. Building resilience and promoting adaptation can help the district navigate these challenges and ensure the long-term wellbeing and sustainability of its communities.
Here are the Council's key strategies for promoting resilience and adaptation:
1. **Building Community Resilience**: The Council will support initiatives that strengthen community cohesion, enhance social networks, and build community capacity to respond to and recover from stresses and shocks. This includes supporting community-led projects, promoting volunteerism, and fostering community partnerships.
2. **Promoting Climate Resilience**: Given the increasing risks posed by climate change, the Council will work to build the district's climate resilience. This includes implementing measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance climate adaptation, and manage climate risks. The Council will also support initiatives that raise awareness about climate change and promote climate-smart behaviours.
3. **Enhancing Economic Resilience**: The Council will strive to enhance the district's economic resilience by diversifying the local economy, promoting innovation, and supporting the growth and resilience of local businesses. It will also work to ensure that the district's economy can adapt to economic changes and disruptions.
4. **Strengthening Infrastructure Resilience**: The Council will work to ensure that the district's infrastructure systems, including transportation, water, and energy systems, are resilient to stresses and shocks. This includes implementing measures to enhance infrastructure reliability, redundancy, and flexibility, and to reduce infrastructure vulnerabilities.
5. **Enhancing Social Resilience**: The Council will promote social resilience by addressing social vulnerabilities and enhancing social wellbeing. This includes initiatives to improve health and wellbeing, promote social inclusion, and address inequalities.
Through these strategies, the Council aims to build a district that is resilient, adaptable, and capable of thriving amidst change and uncertainty.
And lastly for the Social Wellbeing Topic in this Chapter, text for "Monitoring and Review" please.
**Monitoring and Review**
Monitoring and review are key components of the Council's approach to promoting social wellbeing in the Kaipara District. They enable the Council to track progress, assess the effectiveness of its strategies and actions, identify areas for improvement, and adapt its approach in response to changing circumstances and new information.
The Council will implement a comprehensive monitoring and review framework for social wellbeing. This will include the following key elements:
1. **Performance Indicators**: The Council will establish a set of performance indicators for social wellbeing. These indicators will measure key aspects of social wellbeing, such as health and wellbeing, social inclusion, community cohesion, resilience, and adaptation. They will provide a quantitative basis for assessing the district's social wellbeing and the Council's progress towards its social wellbeing objectives.
2. **Data Collection**: The Council will collect data on these performance indicators on a regular basis. This will involve collaboration with community groups, government agencies, research institutions, and other stakeholders. The Council will also seek to use innovative data collection methods, such as citizen science and community monitoring.
3. **Reporting**: The Council will report on its social wellbeing performance indicators annually. These reports will be publicly available and will provide clear, accessible information on the state of social wellbeing in the district and the Council's progress towards its social wellbeing objectives.
4. **Review**: The Council will review its social wellbeing strategies and actions every five years, or more frequently if required. This review will be based on the results of the Council's monitoring activities, as well as feedback from the community and stakeholders. It will enable the Council to refine its strategies and actions, address any gaps or weaknesses, and adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
Through this monitoring and review framework, the Council aims to ensure that its approach to social wellbeing is evidence-based, transparent, accountable, and adaptive. It will enable the Council to continuously improve its approach and make a meaningful contribution to social wellbeing in the Kaipara District.
The content under each of these sections is more thorough than is contained in a typical district plan, given the purpose and contents of District Plans as described in the RMA. It seems a very worthwhile exercise completing these sections for a much greater and more integrated context when tackling more detailed area specific objectives, policies and methods I expect. While it is only the more detailed objectives and policies that form the basis for decision making in the regulatory consenting processes, these vision, strategy and framework sections would be considered in the context of future plan changes (including privately initiated ones) and designations I expect?
Absolutely, your understanding is correct. While the detailed provisions (objectives, policies, methods) of the district plan directly guide decision-making on resource consents, these broader vision and strategy sections play an important role in setting the overall direction of the plan and providing a context for the detailed provisions. They reflect the overall aspirations of the community and the strategic priorities of the Council, and they help to ensure that the plan is coherent, integrated, and focused on achieving sustainable management of resources, which is the purpose of the Resource Management Act.
As you've noted, these broader sections can also be considered in the context of future plan changes (including private plan changes) and designations. They can help to assess whether a proposed change or designation is consistent with the overall direction of the plan and the community's aspirations. They can also inform the development of new provisions or the review of existing provisions.
Furthermore, these sections can serve as a communication tool, helping to explain the intent and rationale of the plan to the community, stakeholders, and decision-makers. They can facilitate understanding, engagement, and buy-in, and they can contribute to the transparency and accountability of the planning process.
So while these broader sections may not have the same regulatory 'teeth' as the detailed provisions, they are still a crucial part of the plan and can add significant value to the planning process and outcomes.
And it looks like it would be much easier to see the alignment with other non-RMA plans and strategies such as those under the Local Government Act and other legislation that binds the Kaipara District Council too.
Indeed, one of the advantages of providing a comprehensive and strategic context in the district plan is that it allows for better integration and alignment with other plans and strategies that the Council is involved in, under the Local Government Act and other legislation. This can help to ensure that all of the Council's activities are pulling in the same direction and contributing to a common set of goals and priorities.
In addition, it can support more integrated decision-making and better outcomes across the different domains of the Council's work. For example, decisions on land use planning under the Resource Management Act can be informed by and aligned with the Council's strategies on community well-being, infrastructure, economic development, and climate change under the Local Government Act.
Furthermore, having a clear and comprehensive strategic context in the district plan can make it easier for the Council to collaborate and align its work with other entities, such as other local authorities, central government agencies, iwi, community groups, and the private sector.
So while the RMA, LGA, and other legislation may have different specific requirements and processes, they all contribute to the overarching goal of improving the well-being of the community and the environment, and it's important to ensure they are working together effectively.
I 100% agree. This level of integration seldom occurs as effectively as it should given the amount of effort required to produce these strategy and policy documents. The use of AI LLMs such as yourself makes this much more achievable - it's a very exciting opportunity.
Thank you for your kind words. I agree that using AI, particularly language models like ChatGPT, can help in making the process of creating strategy and policy documents more efficient and effective. It can assist in drafting the text, cross-referencing with other documents, ensuring consistency, and even performing some analysis. However, it's also important to remember that AI is a tool to support human decision-making, and the ultimate responsibility for these decisions, including the development and implementation of strategies and policies, remains with human actors.
It's an exciting time to be working in this field, and I look forward to seeing how AI continues to evolve and contribute to better outcomes in resource management and other areas. If there's anything else I can assist with, whether it's drafting more sections of the district plan or answering other questions, please let me know.