Auckland Council’s Policy, Planning and Development Committee has approved proposed changes to housing rules for public notification, giving residents another opportunity for submissions.
The proposed changes respond to Government legislation that reduced Auckland’s minimum housing capacity requirement from around two million homes to a minimum of 1.4 million homes. The Council says the changes continue to meet the Government’s mandatory housing requirements, with some additional housing opportunities proposed in places with good access to transport and services, following feedback received from local boards and iwi authorities.
“The option we’ve gone with is a compromise between those who wanted us to do less and those, like me, who wanted us to do more,” said Mayor, Wayne Brown.
“85% of properties won’t be affected, but we are going to get intensification where we’ve sunk billions of dollars into better public transport networks and where it makes sense.
“It is fair to say most Aucklanders are sick and tired of talking about intensification and plan changes – our decision delivers a good, balanced outcome and we don’t need the goal posts shifted anymore,” he says.
Council’s Policy, Planning and Development Committee Chair, Councillor Richard Hills says the proposed changes recognise that where housing is located is just as important as how much housing is enabled.
“Now, once again it’s Aucklanders’ turn. We encourage people to tell us what they think by making a submission,” he said.
“The proposed changes to the plan continue to provide significant capacity for more housing where it makes the most sense – in well-connected locations – while providing the strongest protections for flooding and other natural hazards. The evidence shows demand for housing is highest in these locations because of good access to jobs, services and public transport.
“This makes the best use of the transport, water and other infrastructure in which Aucklanders have already invested billions of dollars. “It could also provide more options for Aucklanders to own or rent a home close to transport, services and everyday needs and allow others to downsize and remain in the neighbourhoods where they raised their families.
“Areas close to the city centre and rapid transit already provide some of Auckland’s best access to jobs, education, services and public transport. Major investments such as the $5.5 billion City Rail Link and the $1.6 billion Central Interceptor are making these locations even better connected and better able to support more housing in the future, while around 85 per cent of Auckland’s urban area remains unchanged,” says Councillor Hills.
The committee agreed a revised package of proposed changes:
- The proposal retains Government mandated housing requirements within walkable catchments around rapid transit stations, the city centre and metropolitan centres.
- Within 10 kilometres of the city centre, taller building heights in some of these walkable catchments is still proposed. This includes around the five Western Line stations as set out in legislation: Maungawhau, Kingsland, Morningside, Mt Albert and Baldwin Ave.
- Walkable catchments outside 10 kilometres of the city centre will generally have building heights reduced to Government mandated six storeys.
- Additional housing opportunities are retained around town centres based on the access provided to shops, jobs and services in those areas.
- Additional housing opportunities are retained along selected frequent bus routes within 10 kilometres of the city centre.
- Stronger natural hazard rules to better protect people and property by limiting new homes in areas at high risk of floods and other natural hazards.
The proposal removes additional housing around smaller local centres and along most frequent bus routes beyond 10 kilometres of the city centre.
Auckland’s wider residential area reverts to the current Auckland Unitary Plan rules, adopted in 2016 with around 85% of Auckland’s urban area remaining unchanged.
The current Auckland Unitary Plan is estimated to provide theoretical housing capacity for around 1.2 million homes. The proposed changes are estimated to provide theoretical housing capacity for between approximately 1.5 and 1.7 million homes.
“Housing capacity is not a target for how many homes will actually be built,” says Cr Hills.
“It measures how many homes Auckland’s planning rules could theoretically allow over time if every eligible site was developed to its maximum permitted capacity.
“This is a plan for 30 years or more. The number of homes ultimately built will continue to depend on factors such as population growth, market demand, infrastructure availability and decisions made by property owners and developers.”
Public submissions are expected to run for four weeks from the end of August. Aucklanders are encouraged to read the proposal and have their say through the AK Have Your Say website. Those who have already made a submission are welcome to provide additional feedback on the proposed changes through the additional submissions process. Their existing submissions will continue to have standing unless withdrawn.
Following the submissions period, an independent hearings panel will consider all submissions, hold public hearings and make recommendations to Auckland Council. The council is expected to make final decisions on Plan Change 120 in mid-2027.
