Auckland Council to consult iwi, government ministries and local boards on intensification plan
RNZ / Kate Newton
Auckland Council will go to iwi authorities, government ministries, and local boards for consultation on a draft plan to increase intensification and strengthen hazard rules for new buildings.
Council's Policy and Planning Committee have been meeting in the town hall today to discuss changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan that would replace Plan Change 78, while keeping its focus on housing.
The draft changes would allow for more apartments and terrace homes in walking distance of train and bus stations, more restrictive consenting requirements to increase resilience, and an increase in mixed housing suburban zones.
Council has voted to take the draft changes out for consultation, with two councillors opposing.
It will have to decide in September if it will withdraw from Plan Change 78, and proceed with the replacement plan.
Mayor Wayne Brown supported the plan, saying he wanted the city to stop sprawling out wide.
"Basically, this is we do this ourselves, or we get it done to us, so think about that," he said.
"We've finally got some good government relationships, but they're quite happy to do us if we don't follow this through."
Mayor Wayne Brown supported the plan.
Photo:
RNZ / Marika Khabazi
The changes were a response to the widespread flooding in the region in 2023.
Committee Chair Richard Hills said they had some big wins through negotiation.
"We came here eight days, I think, after the Auckland Anniversary floods, eight days, and asked for urgent work to be done on the current qualifying matters, and to write to government to help us do that," he said.
"And it was made clear to us we cannot legally downzone, we cannot legally act on hazards, so we had to continually negotiate with government to get there, we tried with the last government and we got there, finally, with this government to allow us to do that."
Hills said it had been a tough process.
"If we make no decision to move forward, we keep Plan Change 78, and you'll have to deal with all the issues that are locked in there.
"There is not going to be a plan that ever makes all of us happy, all the local boards happy, all the public happy, it's impossible, but as we heard from our staff the new plan change was more in line with our transport infrastructure, it's more in line with enabling people to live close to these type of infrastructure, the City Rail Link, amenities, jobs...
"That's what we've been trying to do this whole term."
The plan was endorsed to go to consultation, with councillors John Watson and Mike Lee voting against.
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