ARC considers Manukau City Council’s plan to open up land near airport for commercial development

27 August 2007

Auckland Regional Council has agreed to notify a proposal by Manukau City Council that would open up a large tract of rural land around the airport for commercial development.

However, the ARC has also rejected part of the proposal, the first time it has rejected a local council application to extend the Metropolitan Urban Limits.

Metropolitan Urban Limits (MULs) are an internationally tried and tested method of planning. They are a flexible boundary around a city within which commercial and residential development can occur. In fast-growing cities like Auckland they are a way to coordinate growth, provide infrastructure efficiently and avoid the worst mistakes of urban sprawl.

Manukau City Council has applied to the ARC to bring 1200 hectares of land in the Mangere-Puhinui area within the MUL. This includes the airport, land to the north of the airport and a block of land near Kirkbride Road. Accepting the majority of the proposal means that the application can now proceed through the public submission and hearings process.

Councillors accepted 1100 hectares of the 1200 hectare commercial proposal, but rejected part of the land to the north of the airport, citing environmental and cultural reasons. These include its proximity to a residential area (Papahanga), the newly restored Orharangi Creek and the Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve. The land also contains some archeologically significant sites.

Some ARC councillors expressed their own reservations about the existing commercial development near the airport, and their hopes for improved development on what is economically important land. Large companies that rely on the airport and contribute significantly to the economy should be prioritised for location here.

In addition it was noted that development in this area was not aesthetically pleasing and given that it was most international visitors’ first and last glimpse of New Zealand, it should be a good one.

ENDS

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