Mayor reaches out to local ethnic media
In what he termed as an historic gathering, Auckland Mayor Len Brown exclusively met the ethnic media and took the opportunity to introduce the Council’s Unitary Plan. Though he didn’t say exactly how he was going to do it, he said he intended to more actively engage with the ethnic media and the ethnic communities of Auckland.
“The council is saying all the right things, but this needs to be backed by action. Why don’t see more advertising spend from the council in the ethnic media?” asked Martin Powell of Niche Media in the half hour long Q&A session. In response to this, the Mayor said he would look into the matter and the fairness of the advertising spend. “We’re tapping into all opportunities to engage. And it is critical for us to communicate with the ethnic media and I would certainly make sure this happens.”
Over-all the council needs to improve on being proactive, he conceded. The representatives of multiple ethnic media across Auckland unanimously agreed that the time had come to take ethnic media seriously for its reach and impact within specific communities.
Introducing the Unitary Plan, Mr. Brown said that the idea is to make all ranges of housing available, all options available with something for everyone. The plan offers details on green field development, multi-level development, transport and bus linkages.
As per the Council’s draft plan for the next 30 years, there is an expected increase of about 700,000 in the region’s population from the current 1.5 millionn to 2.5 million by 2041. Based on current estimates, Auckland could need up to 400,000 homes, or dwellings, by 2040, around 13,000 a year. There were 3,400 residential building consents in 2011-12, an increase of 21% on the previous year, but well below what is needed.
Housing is currently 30% less affordable in Auckland than for New Zealand as a whole.
The plan serves as a starting point for Aucklanders wanting to test waters and simplifies the experience for them by combining eight plans into one. It would provide clarity to help plan for vital services like public transport important for a city on a growth trajectory.
“Aucklanders have been clear they want a sensible and planned approach and that’s what we’re working hard to deliver,” said Brown. “This latest assessment reminds us this is a complex issue requiring solutions on many fronts.
“The new Auckland Unitary Plan will be the key tool for Council to play its part. It provides for a balanced response, through use of existing land, as well as unlocking new land for development. “It will also simplify rules for developers and homeowners and provide more certainty for all Aucklanders about the shape and character of our town centres and suburbs in the decades to come.
The Unitary Plan: Aiming for a balance between development and protection, it introduces new residential zones which provide flexibility for more multi-unit developments in the metropolitan area, easing pressures on both supply and affordability Consents processing has been sped up and simplified so around 97% of residential consents are now processed within 20 days. Council is investigating the use of existing Council-owned land for development, including affordable housing. The cost of Development Contributions (DCs) have been cut by 10% over the last 2 years. A lower DC rate has been introduced for smaller or affordable housing. Developers can now defer payment of DCs.
Auckland Housing Issues: Council estimates it has capacity in Auckland for 15,000 homes on ready to go greenfields land including in Flat Bush, Hatfield’s Beach, Hobsonville, Stonefields-Mt Wellington and Takanini. This includes around 2,000 sections available now in greenfields areas. The remainder requires subdivision and internal servicing by private sector developers to create sections.In addition there are likely to be more than 4,000 vacant sections within the urban existing area and the Unitary Plan may incentivise owners and developers to make use of this land for new housing developments
In what he termed as an historic gathering, Auckland Mayor Len Brown exclusively met the ethnic media and took the opportunity to introduce the Council’s Unitary Plan. Though he didn’t say exactly how he was going to do it, he said he intended to more actively engage with the ethnic media and the...
In what he termed as an historic gathering, Auckland Mayor Len Brown exclusively met the ethnic media and took the opportunity to introduce the Council’s Unitary Plan. Though he didn’t say exactly how he was going to do it, he said he intended to more actively engage with the ethnic media and the ethnic communities of Auckland.
“The council is saying all the right things, but this needs to be backed by action. Why don’t see more advertising spend from the council in the ethnic media?” asked Martin Powell of Niche Media in the half hour long Q&A session. In response to this, the Mayor said he would look into the matter and the fairness of the advertising spend. “We’re tapping into all opportunities to engage. And it is critical for us to communicate with the ethnic media and I would certainly make sure this happens.”
Over-all the council needs to improve on being proactive, he conceded. The representatives of multiple ethnic media across Auckland unanimously agreed that the time had come to take ethnic media seriously for its reach and impact within specific communities.
Introducing the Unitary Plan, Mr. Brown said that the idea is to make all ranges of housing available, all options available with something for everyone. The plan offers details on green field development, multi-level development, transport and bus linkages.
As per the Council’s draft plan for the next 30 years, there is an expected increase of about 700,000 in the region’s population from the current 1.5 millionn to 2.5 million by 2041. Based on current estimates, Auckland could need up to 400,000 homes, or dwellings, by 2040, around 13,000 a year. There were 3,400 residential building consents in 2011-12, an increase of 21% on the previous year, but well below what is needed.
Housing is currently 30% less affordable in Auckland than for New Zealand as a whole.
The plan serves as a starting point for Aucklanders wanting to test waters and simplifies the experience for them by combining eight plans into one. It would provide clarity to help plan for vital services like public transport important for a city on a growth trajectory.
“Aucklanders have been clear they want a sensible and planned approach and that’s what we’re working hard to deliver,” said Brown. “This latest assessment reminds us this is a complex issue requiring solutions on many fronts.
“The new Auckland Unitary Plan will be the key tool for Council to play its part. It provides for a balanced response, through use of existing land, as well as unlocking new land for development. “It will also simplify rules for developers and homeowners and provide more certainty for all Aucklanders about the shape and character of our town centres and suburbs in the decades to come.
The Unitary Plan: Aiming for a balance between development and protection, it introduces new residential zones which provide flexibility for more multi-unit developments in the metropolitan area, easing pressures on both supply and affordability Consents processing has been sped up and simplified so around 97% of residential consents are now processed within 20 days. Council is investigating the use of existing Council-owned land for development, including affordable housing. The cost of Development Contributions (DCs) have been cut by 10% over the last 2 years. A lower DC rate has been introduced for smaller or affordable housing. Developers can now defer payment of DCs.
Auckland Housing Issues: Council estimates it has capacity in Auckland for 15,000 homes on ready to go greenfields land including in Flat Bush, Hatfield’s Beach, Hobsonville, Stonefields-Mt Wellington and Takanini. This includes around 2,000 sections available now in greenfields areas. The remainder requires subdivision and internal servicing by private sector developers to create sections.In addition there are likely to be more than 4,000 vacant sections within the urban existing area and the Unitary Plan may incentivise owners and developers to make use of this land for new housing developments
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