Media release
13 September 2012
Auckland ready for more development
Auckland is gearing up for more development and the Unitary Plan process will be the next step in making that happen
says deputy mayor Penny Hulse.
Penny Hulse, who is chair of the Auckland Plan Committee, is responding to reported comments from Reserve Bank governor
Alan Bollard regarding the supply of land for development.
"Auckland Council is going through a process of amalgamating the various district and regional plans of the previous
councils into a single Unitary Plan,” says Ms Hulse.
“We are putting in place a good up-front consultation process and are working with government to consider ways to
implement the Unitary Plan in a timely fashion. That will speed up development and economic growth as well as protect
our heritage and the environment.
"The Auckland Plan envisages that up to 70 per cent of new dwellings will be built within the current city boundary,
while up to 40 per cent will be allowed in new greenfields land. This range allows for flexibility in a time of dynamic
change and highlights that there will be plenty of land available to cater for growth.
"Auckland needs to build approximately 13,000 dwellings each year to keep up with population growth. It is important to
note that there is currently provision for the development of approximately 18,500 dwellings on already zoned and
serviced greenfield land.
"This land can be built on today, subject to the market, and means that current regulations around land-use are not the
cause for unmet demand for housing. It is more correct to say that the difficult economic environment has resulted in
the downturn in building activity.”
Auckland Council is also working on the Housing Strategic Action Plan that will focus exclusively on the role of council
in housing affordability, and will develop options such as leveraging council assets and land in partnership with the
private and/or third sector, the Unitary Plan, financial incentives and levies, development contributions and regulatory
levers.
“There are a number of factors that need to be considered with regard to housing affordability. Uncontrolled release of
land will simply result in uncontained sprawl with current ratepayers having to pick up the high cost of investment in
new infrastructure.
“Auckland Council is happy to work with the government to look at ways of getting the Unitary Plan to have an impact as
soon as possible so we can get on with developing the city.”
Ends