Ian McLean Spokesperson for the Green Party

We are assured that SmartGrowth is delivering on its promise of creating a wonderful place to live.

Included in that delivery are spiralling rates, polluted estuaries, few safe bicycle paths, empty buses, pressure to develop rural land, and expensive energy.

SmartGrowth is a planning tool that delivers funding efficiencies, coordination between councils, and infrastructure development. SmartGrowth's own assessment is that it is failing to deliver effective environmental management.

The first problem is the name. SmartGrowth is seen (and used) as a mechanism to promote and manage growth. Calling it SmartPlan would have emphasised clever planning rather than growth as an objective.

The second problem is emphasis. Economy and infrastructure first, heritage and Treaty second, safe and clean environment last.

The third problem is bias. SmartGrowth consults regularly with Priority One, but has no equivalent consultancy with environmental advocates.

We need smart growth, but not as a smokescreen for business-as-usual.