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Auckland Council is strongly encouraging people to make a submission before September 29 on proposed Unitary Plan changes to allow for considerably more intensive housing.
The Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS), which became operative when Council notified Plan Change 78 on August 20, allow three homes of up to three storeys to be built on most residential sites in Warkworth without resource consent.
The proposed changes respond to central government’s National Policy Statement on Urban Development and also enable buildings of six storeys or more within walking distance of Auckland’s city centre, 10 large metropolitan centres and around rapid transit stops.
Council’s general manager for plans and places, John Duguid, says it is crucial to hear from as many people as possible, given these changes will have major impacts on how the city grows.
“Making a submission is the single most important way for people to be heard on changes that will allow for more housing at greater heights and density across most residential areas, including more apartments and townhouses,” he said.
The only way that the MDRS can be amended is through the identification of a qualifying matter. The government has restricted qualifying matters, but additional qualifying matters can be added, subject to a site-by-site assessment.
Rodney Local Board member Beth Houlbrooke says two additional qualifying matters that might be able to be argued to remove or reduce the MDRS in Warkworth are around transport and wastewater infrastructure.
“These qualifying matters could cover the existing single house-zoned area of Warkworth and could limit the additional dwelling capacity enabled in this area, reducing the impact on infrastructure,” she says.
The new rules do not apply to towns with populations under 5000 at the 2018 census.
Feedback will be considered by an Independent Hearings Panel, who will make recommendations on changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan early next year.
More information is also available at www.ourauckland.nz/planchanges or at local libraries and Council service centres.
