Sign In / Register
Planning changes aimed at protecting people and property from flooding and other natural hazards, while enabling more urban housing, are open for public feedback until December 19.
Auckland Council’s Plan Change 120: Housing Intensification and Resilience introduces tougher consenting rules for building in areas impacted by flooding, landslides, coastal erosion and inundation.
It also aims to reverse the rule that allows high density housing up to three storeys to be built on single house sites in many suburbs – which affected just central Warkworth locally. Instead, high density housing will be confined to the city centre and along major transport routes.
The proposals give council new and significant powers to restrict or reject building applications in flood-prone areas – a key change, as it has previously been limited in its ability to prevent development in such zones.
However, contrary to some suggestions on social media, this does not mean council will be looking to buy up homes at a discount in rezoned coastal areas.
Policy, planning and governance director Megan Tyler said such commentary was “a total fabrication”, and she could assure the community council would not be removing anybody from their land.
“Plan Change 120 responds to community concerns about building and development in areas that are at risk of floods,” she said.
“It is correct that this plan change proposes stronger planning rules to manage this, so new development and neighbourhoods become more resilient to floods and other natural hazards over time.”
Tyler said this was something council had been advocating for since the severe weather events of 2023.
The changes will introduce stricter checks and higher standards for building, developing or renovating in at-risk areas. Resource consent applications will face tougher risk assessments, and council will require clear evidence that a build can withstand the impacts of more extreme weather.
As part of the plan change process, council has updated its mapping, LIMs and Flood Viewer so residents can see any changes to their property’s zoning or natural hazard risks.
Tyler urged people to look at the proposed changes and how it might affect them.
“These are still proposed changes. We encourage Aucklanders to have their say by making a submission before final decisions are made,” she said.
“Whether they support the changes, have concerns or want to suggest alternatives, their views are an essential part of the process.”
Submissions are open until December 19.
Info and submissions: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/aucklands-future-housing-plan
Queries: Email unitaryplan@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
View maps: https://shorturl.at/uECKF
Help with submissions: https://shorturl.at/eTt24
