Council's 10 year Plan short changes population growth projections

Auckland's 10 year Plan does not allow adequately for the city's expected population growth, the Employers and Manufacturers Association told the Council hearings today.

The Long Term Plan falls short of providing well for the additional 400,000 houses required over the next 30 years, said Kim Campbell, EMA's chief executive.

"Without increasing the supply of land for housing outside the Rural Urban Boundary (RUB) there is little chance the Plan's housing goals needed for another 700,000 people to live here can be realised," he said.

"A report commissioned by the Council indicates a deficit of 32,530 sections on which to build houses over the next three years if land only within the Rural Urban Boundary is considered, even allowing for 39,000 houses to be built under the Housing Accord," Mr Campbell said.

(EMA's submission on land supply relied significantly on a report by Jon Mapes Land Solutions Ltd, 2013, commissioned by the Auckland Council.)

"So while we support intensified housing within the RUB, it is also clear the RUB needs to be rolled back to allow more greenfield residential subdivision.

"If this is not done the region's economic growth could grind to a halt as people find they cannot afford to live or work here.

"Our recommendation is for the Council to critically re-examine the proposed greenfield areas being investigated for new housing with a view to substantially increasing the amount of land taken into the RUB for residential development."

EMA also said:

* The Council should take advantage of falling costs, and drive for greater efficiencies to hold rates rises to no more than three per cent a year, not 3.5 per cent, over the term of the Plan.

* Expressed support for the construction of the CRL to commence in 2018/19.

* Expressed a strong preference for transport funding to be from asset sales and central government

* Recommended the Uniform Annual General Charge to be set at an average of $900

* Requested the business differential be abolished

* Observed the Council ownership of the Port was diminishing its valuing, and that the Council was hopelessly conflicted in its role as owner and also as the issuer, or not, of consents for the Port's development.

ENDS

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