Auckland: Auckland Mayor Len Brown is urging as many Aucklanders as possible to give their feedback on proposals to guide the future growth and development of Auckland over the next 30 years.

Submissions on the Auckland Unleashed discussion document close at 4pm on Tuesday 31 May. They will be used to help shape a draft of The Auckland Plan which will go out for public consultation in September.

"My vision is for Auckland to be the world's most liveable city,” said the Mayor. “The Auckland Unleashed discussion document offers ideas on how we might achieve that. “This is your city and with the deadline for submissions fast approaching I want to encourage everyone to have their say on what direction they'd like Auckland to go in the future."

Auckland Council Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel’s Interim Chair, the Rev Amail Habib, said: “The Advisory Panel has held two public forums. We feel we were able to get an idea about ethnic perspectives from people who may not have come forward to general forums due to language and other issues.”

The stand out issues, according to the Rev Habib, were employment barriers and risks that Auckland would miss an opportunity if it did not fully utilise skills and resources that are held in its diverse communities.

Elder care was another area highlighted as important in the times ahead.

In addition to the formal submissions via the council website, the public and stakeholders have contributed feedback through community forums, business meetings and discussions on Facebook and Twitter.

Mainstream themes coming though include transport and the CBD rail link, economic development, environmental protection, infrastructural upgrades, and the importance of children and young people.

It is easy to provide feedback on Auckland Unleashed either online www.theaucklandplan.govt.nz or by post to The Auckland Plan, Auckland Council, Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142