Strategy ‘impeding growth’

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.

Auckland Councillors have supported a draft Future Development Strategy for public consultation despite concerns that it could impede the development of growth in rural areas.

Council estimates that by 2053, Auckland’s population will grow to more than 2.2m, requiring an additional 200,000 dwellings and 282,600 jobs.

The strategy will guide this growth over the next 30 years and also addresses protecting and restoring the natural environment, building resilience to natural hazards and climate change, and how to make the best use of limited infrastructure funding.

It recommends that the most growth occurs in existing urban areas and proposes delaying or stopping development in specific greenfield areas (undeveloped land) that have previously been identified for future urban development, due to natural hazard risk, impacts on the ability to halve emissions and high infrastructure costs. Consultation for the draft strategy was passed, with 10 councillors voting against, including Albany Ward Crs Wayne Walker and John Watson and Rodney Ward Cr Greg Sayers.

It is expected to be released for public comment early in June.

It will go to the Governing Body for adoption later in the year, replacing the 2018 Development Strategy and the 2017 Future Urban Land Supply Strategy.