‘Changing the face of the city’

Petone resident and community board chair PamHanna said all residents should take an interest in the housing plan, which would change the face of the city.

‘‘People need to be going on line and taking the time needed to answer this quite extensive questionnaire.’’

The response on social media had been mixed, although Wendy Garlick agreed change was inevitable. ‘‘Ageing population, a population increase, imminent sea level rise about to swallow up Petone and Eastern Bays. These factors all point to changing our housing style.’’

Joanne Robertson disagreed. ‘‘What is this obsession with boosting our population? We must be the only country with a desire to become overcrowded.’’

Oliver Butt said stuffing people in to smaller spaces ‘‘hardly seems conducive to a happy’’ population.‘‘

THREE-STOREY ZONES

The ten areas where apartments and terrace houses would be allowed are Stokes Valley Taita Naenae Avalon Epuni Waterloo The edge of the central business district Alicetown Waiwhetu/Woburn Wainuiomata.

An artist’s impression of what Hutt City might look like under radical changes to the rules around housing.