The future planners of the Western Bay of Plenty now have a helpful resource when planning for the development of the region with the launch of the new ‘Managing Growth – SmartGrowth' kit.

The new teaching resource aimed at providing high school students with tools to effectively manage growth in the Bay of Plenty was launched at a special breakfast this morning.

Regional council chairman John Cronin with SmartGrowth chairman Bill Wasley, and Otumoetai College teacher Nick Page play the growth game.

Featuring a giant map and floor game, PowerPoint slide shows, role play cards, worksheets and information sheets, the resource kit provides a fun and effective way for students to learn about community planning.

The resource uses SmartGrowth and the Western BOP sub-region as a case study for managing growth, exploring global growth-related concepts and national growth-related trends.

SmartGrowth independent chairman Bill Wasley says all education providers can use it to develop knowledge about the issues of population growth and how communities can manage these issues throughout a long period of time.

'It investigates the nature of population growth, in particular in the Western Bay of Plenty sub-region, urban settlements and patterns, planning and decision-making, and population growth and sustainability-related issues relevant to our region.”

He says the resource gives students an opportunity to learn about the real-world implications for planning for a 'rapidly growing community to live, work and play”.

'It teaches critical thinking and decision-making, based on the Western Bay of Plenty.”

Jointly developed by SmartGrowth, local councils, colleges and curriculum development company Indigo Pacific, the resource has been trialled in high schools throughout the BOP.

Otumoetai College teacher Nick Page helped test the resource with students.

'I think the kids appreciate the variety of learning activities that cater for different learning styles. There's visual, group work and discussion in a real and meaningful context. The in-depth nature of the learning is the envy of other schools in other regions,” says Nick.

The resource also studies mapping and spatial analysis, the potential role of youth and young people in planning and decision-making.

The kit is divided into six topic areas –– population growth, urban patterns and settlements, mapping and spatial analysis, planning and decision-making, current issues and getting involved.

Students can study mapping and spatial analysis using aerial photos, a precise map, spatially comparing shopping areas and GIS data.

It also looks at the Resource Management Act, decision making, zoning, Maori geographic terms and the resource consent process using current issues such as Tauranga's Southern Pipeline.

The teaching resource is available on BOP Regional Council's website www.boprc.govt.nz/smartgrowth and will be used in schools this year.