Auckland Council is urging people to give their feedback on changes to the city’s planning rulebook to allow for more high-density housing before submissions close this Thursday 29 September.
There are only a few days left before the six-week submission period closes on proposed changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan – the council’s planning rulebook – which respond to central government’s National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD).
This requires the council to enable taller buildings, such as apartments of six-storeys or more within walking distance of our city centre, other large urban centres, and rapid transport, and make changes to the rules for how people can choose to develop their property across the city.
“Making a submission is the single most important way for people to be heard on changes that will allow for more housing at greater heights and density close to urban centres, around rapid transit stops, and across most residential areas, including more apartments and townhouses,” says John Duguid, Auckland Council’s General Manager Plans and Places.
“These changes will be significant for current and future Aucklanders, so it is important for all our diverse communities to give their views to be considered by an Independent Hearings Panel when they make recommendations on changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan early next year,” he says.
How people can make a submission
Submissions on changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan, known as Plan Change 78, close this Thursday, 29 September 2022.
People can find more information and make a submission online using the electronic form on the Auckland Council website.
They can also visit their local library or Auckland Council service centre for more information and to lodge a submission.
All submissions will be considered by an Independent Hearings Panel, which will also hear directly from people who submitted. They will then make recommendations to the council on the changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan by March 2024.
Auckland Council will make decisions based on those recommendations by 31 March 2024.
