On May 9, Property Council submitted to Auckland Council on the ‘Government’s New Housing Rules: What it means for Auckland’. This consultation represents Auckland Council’s draft approach to implementing both the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (“NPS-UD”) and the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act (“RMA Amendment Act”).
Why this matters to our members
Property Council advocates for the creation and retention of a well-designed, functional and sustainable built environment. Auckland Council’s approach to implementation of the NPS-UD and the RMA Amendment Act is of immense significance to our members. These policies will shape the future built environment of Auckland for generations, influencing outcomes across the entire property sector eco-system. We firmly believe that it is important that the voice of the property sector is heard at the decision-making table.
Our view
Our submission supported various elements of the proposed approach. However, we had deep concerns regarding the proposed intent of Auckland Council to include infrastructure constraints as a qualifying matter, as we believe it contradicts the intent of the NPS-UD. We have provided Auckland Council with a series of recommendations that would ensure better and fairer outcomes for all stakeholders.
At a high level, we recommended that Auckland Council:
- Works with Property Council to identify opportunities to apply the 400m walkable catchment standard more widely around Town Centres;
- Provides the property sector with transparent access to information on the proposed application of the NPS-UD to Auckland’s Metropolitan Centres.
- Enable greater housing intensification in Auckland’s Metropolitan, Town, and Local Centres;
- Works to ensure transport alignment between residential and mixed-use zones;
- Revise their approach to THAB Zone Rules, to enable greater height and flexibility as well as ensuring alignment between THAB zones in and out of walkable catchments;
- Does not include infrastructure constraints as a qualifying matter;
- Investigates the use of transparent, beneficiary pays funding models to fund necessary core infrastructure to support development;
- Works closely with Central Government to unlock further joint funding of core infrastructure to support development;
- Provides the property sector with transparent access to information regarding their proposed approach to zoning in the Auckland Light Rail corridor; and
- Collaborates with Property Council on their proposed approach to zoning in the Auckland Light Rail corridor.
We also supported the proposed approach of Auckland Council to the City Centre Zone and to Special Character Zoning.