Campaign intensifies to get reaction

A campaign to get 50,000 Aucklanders to tell the council to rethink their drastic intensification plans is under way.

The group behind it, Auckland 2040, is concerned that without a united voice Aucklanders will lose the chance to have a say on the future of their city.

Auckland Council has given a May 31 deadline for feedback to the draft Unitary Plan which proposes intensification through rezoning much of the city for apartment and terraced housing.

Richard Burton is a Resource Management Act consultant with 30 years experience and says the first concern is that most people in Auckland are still unaware how the unitary plan will affect their property and their neighbourhood.

‘‘This is the most fundamental decision Auckland will make in the next 100 years. Apathy is our enemy and there’s a real sense of urgency,’’ he says. ‘‘In council’s eyes not putting in feedback is tantamount to agreeing with the plan.’’

Mr Burton also says that from carefully studying the plan he’s horrified as to what the council isn’t making clear to the public.

‘‘People are already concerned about the height limits without even realising that council will have the ability to allow increased height without public notification,’’ he says.

‘‘Developers will do whatever they can to persuade the council to allow them extra height and other dispensations and I say council because residents will have no say.’’

Another major concern, he says, is the lack of investigation the council has under- taken on the impact of intensification on roading, sewage, hospitals, reserves and schools.

Guy Haddleton, who along with Mr Burton is driving the Auckland 2040 campaign, says recent community-run meetings on the plan have been a real eye opener.

‘‘People are not against an intensification plan for Auckland,’’ Mr Haddleton says.

‘‘What they’re saying is that council needs to rethink the plan and identify appropriate locations for intensification based on infrastructure and community feedback.’’