Auckland Unitary Plan recommendations
The Independent Hearings Panel had a huge job balancing a wide range of complex planning requirements across Auckland. We have to remember the Unitary Plan is a 30 year plan. For context, think about all the change we’ve seen over the last 30 years - a lot!
I’ve been making my way through the reports and so far have a few thoughts in general. I welcome the extension of the Rural Urban Boundary which will allow a lot more homes to be built - though it begs the question of whether it should just be removed altogether. The balance between building up and out on the face of it looks good with 40 per cent on greenfield land.
I'd like to have seen a much closer correlation between intensification and public transport. There are areas we're intensifying that are removed from good public transport options. We'll have to make sure we fill those gaps.
Another substantial recommendation is the removal of cultural impact assessments, design statements and integrated transport assessment as a standard requirement of resource consent applications. Council is going to now have to use carrots rather than sticks to encourage good neighborhood design and transport integration. It's absolutely possible but you need the right culture and leadership from the top.
The fact remains this is a massive plan with 80 topic reports, each with extensive implications. We have to address each with sufficient attention. Take for example the removal of the minimum number of parking spaces for commercial and residential builds both in and around the central city. That’s something we will have to think seriously about.
There’s been a lot of concern over the lack of consultation and Council’s out of scope submission points which seem to have snuck in there anyhow. Council must learn it’s lesson and from here on make sure they take communities along on the journey, not shut them out.
Our Councillors definitely have a lot of work to do and a big decision ahead.
