13 March 2013
Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse letter to Housing Minister
Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse has today written to Housing Minister Nick Smith to request a meeting to explain Auckland
Council’s request to allow the Unitary Plan to take effect on notification.
“The Minister has been clear that he doesn’t want to see any delay in action on Auckland’s housing issues. I’ve offered
to meet with him to explain our proposal, which is crucial to meeting Auckland’s housing challenges without delay.
“Auckland Council’s proposal addresses an issue government says is central to housing affordability, by bringing the new
rural-urban boundary into effect much more quickly.
“The Government’s current approach, which requires Council to work under the rules of the existing District Plans and
Regional Policy Statement, will delay this new boundary until 2017. Our proposal means this process could be completed
by as early as 2015.”
ENDS