Historic focus hinders future progress.

29th August 2018

A business group representing one of Auckland’s busiest, and most iconic streets, has today slammed the decision by Auckland Council to refuse approval for a large apartment and commercial development on Dominion Rd.

Disappointed Dominion Rd Business Association Manager Gary Holmes says the decision by planning commissioners to turn down the Panuku led development is very short sighted and that if similar developments for arterial routes for Dominion Rd and other places are rejected, it will not achieve the urban regeneration critical mass needed to make mass transit solutions work.

“For years there has been under investment along Dominion Road due to the uncertainty because of transport planning and now when a proposal is put forward that responds to the future vision for the area, it is rejected because of a vocal minority that want to preserve derelict buildings that have outlived their usefulness and should have been demolished years ago”, he said.

While agreeing that “significant” historic buildings need to be protected, Mr Holmes says this type of mixed use development is the future of Auckland and without it, mass transit projects such as light rail will not achieve the associated, and much needed, urban regeneration.

“Also because many of the older buildings along Dominion Rd have earthquake issues, there is little incentive to property owners to spend the huge amounts of money required to bring them up to standard”. Mr Holmes said. “We desperately need investment and developments of this type along Dominion Rd and Auckland Council is at risk of missing the opportunity to turbo charge its mass transit projects if it gets stuck in the past”.

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