News Release

29 October 2012

Getting housing right critical for Auckland’s future

Auckland Council is committed to working constructively with the government to address housing issues facing Auckland.

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English this afternoon released the government’s response to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into housing affordability.

The Mayor says the majority of the government’s proposals fit with Auckland Council initiatives including the Auckland Plan, the Housing Strategic Action Plan, the Economic Development Strategy and the upcoming Unitary Plan.

“As the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out, at the moment the housing market is not working. Land is available for development right now in Auckland, but in many cases, developers do not feel confident enough to put that land on the market.

“This is a complex issue that requires the government and councils to work together with developers, the banks, the building industry and all the other players in the housing market to find long-term solutions,” says Len Brown.

“What we are talking about here is New Zealand Inc working together to deal with issues associated with housing in Auckland and other parts of the country.

“I was particularly pleased to hear the Deputy Prime Minister acknowledge the work already being done by Auckland Council on a variety of fronts to address Auckland’s housing issues.

“Urban sprawl is not the answer to housing affordability. We now have broad consensus that the way forward is the creation of an affordable, quality, compact city that gives Aucklanders housing choice through mixed density development on brownfield and greenfield sites, both inside the Rural Urban Boundary and in satellite centres such as Warkworth and Pukekohe.

“Getting housing right is critical to the future of Auckland and I think it is fair to say there is now a common sense of purpose on this issue.

“I am committed to working with the government and all the players in the housing sector on the various work-streams proposed by the government over the next few months and in particular the work-stream focussed on Auckland,” says Len Brown.

“Two areas that require caution are the cost of infrastructure, which can only be funded three ways: through development contributions, rates or taxes. In the end, someone has to pay, the question is who? And with regards to proposed changes to the consent process, the rights of the community must continue to be protected.”

Ends

© Scoop Media