Building activity in Auckland has reached an all-time high of $6 billion per year
Yesterday (June 21) Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith and Auckland Mayor Len Brown released the latest Auckland Housing Accord monitoring report.
The accord set a target of 39,000 new sections created and dwelling consents issued over three years. By 31 March 2016, 30,389 had been achieved as compared to a target of 30,500 at that date - 99.6 per cent of target.
Keeping our foot to the “consenting gas pedal” will help keep the momentum going
The good news is that the report shows the number of consented homes in multi-unit buildings is increasing, with the 4174 such consents issued during the period accounting for more than 43 per cent of all residential building consents issued.
As at 31 March 2016, there were 118 Special Housing Areas (SHAs) declared, with the capacity to deliver more than 58,000 dwellings. There are now 154 SHAs in Auckland, with the potential to deliver up to 62,200 homes.
Building is booming and more needs to be done
The level of building activity for the year to March 2016 is $6.1 billion, the highest in Auckland ever. The last boom was in 2005, which peaked at $3.8 billion or $4.8 billion in today’s terms. These impressive figures reflecting the real progress being made and showing Auckland Council has a plan and it is working.
Real progress has been made to fast track consenting to enable housing development in Auckland. Regulatory roadblocks have been removed, new tools have been provided and the provision of infrastructure development to enable major projects. The Development Programme Office also provides a one-stop-shop to facilitate infrastructure solutions for multiple developers and land owners.
Auckland Council and the Government will continue to work together to consider options across the board to ease Auckland’s housing issues.
The next steps in the Government’s programme include supporting the council in the completion of the new Auckland Unitary Plan, consulting on a new Urban Development National Policy Statement, reform of the Resource Management Act and developing new legislation on urban development authorities.
