Auckland Council’s Policy, Planning and Development Committee has agreed on principles to guide how Plan Change 120 could be amended. This follows the government announcing it will reduce Auckland's required housing capacity from approximately 2 million to 1.6 million homes.
Housing capacity is a theoretical number, representing how many homes could be built in theory if every single site was developed to its maximum. The principles respond to the Minister of Housing and RMA Reform’s request for the council to outline how it would review housing density.
Mayor Wayne Brown says the principles are intended to guide the next stage of work.
“All of those people in leafy suburbs forget that under MDRS (Medium Density Residential Standards) with its three, three-storey houses on every section, you were already being intensified. This has now been reduced.
"I have heard loud and clear from Aucklanders that they want certainty. Getting on a progressing with PC120 using the principles we've got before us will get us one step closer to that certainty and stop dithering.
"A city that sprawls forever isn't a city; it's one big soulless suburb.
“I want growth that brings people together rather than pitting generations of Aucklanders against one another. I want growth that stops the eternal commute,” he says.
Cr Richard Hills, Chair of the Policy, Planning and Development Committee, says the principles agreed today are focused on reducing housing capacity in Plan Change 120, not making increases anywhere.
“The government has said more housing capacity around train stations, town centres, and rapid transit will stay.
“Internationally the most successful cities place more homes close to the city centre, rapid transit and major employment areas.
“Areas within walking distance of the city centre and major town centres are some of the most accessible places in Auckland. This means more housing in these areas can make better use of existing infrastructure, improve access to jobs and services, and support local businesses.
“The options coming to councillors will likely include some reductions in housing capacity in most parts of Auckland, although with the starting point being areas away from good public transport,” he says.
Councillor Hills says further work is needed before any changes can be made.
“At this point, the government must change the law before Auckland Council can legally move forward with any changes to Plan Change 120. More than ten thousand Aucklanders have already made a submission on this plan. The rights of the submitters will be upheld through this process and council will still consider those submissions to ensure residents’ feedback is considered.
“Auckland Council’s focus throughout has been on making sure Aucklanders have opportunities to have a say. The government has signalled there will be an opportunity to make new submissions, and we remain committed to working through this process carefully to achieve the best outcomes for Aucklanders and ensure our communities are fairly represented,” he says.
The agreed principles are:
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Retain the current downzoning for natural hazards.
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Retain government mandatory up-zoning provided for in walkable catchments of stations at Maungawhau/Mount Eden, Kingsland, Morningside Mount Albert and Baldwin Avenue required by the RMA.
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Retain intensification that maximises investment in the City Rail Link.
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Decrease housing capacity using a distance of more than ten kilometres from the city centre as a starting point.
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Decrease housing capacity through reassessing the intensification along corridors, starting with the lower ranked bus corridors.
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Decrease in the amount of Mixed Housing Urban zoned land in areas which do not have good access to public transport or the city centre.
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Retain qualifying matters as notified.
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Providing a buffer from the minimum 1.6 million dwellings to enable the Independent Hearings Panel some flexibility in their deliberations when making recommendations to the council.
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Investigate opportunities for additional downzoning for natural hazards.