Auckland’s housing for inner city
Between 4000 and 5000 houses in Auckland’s special character areas could be rezoned for intensification under new government planning rules, Auckland Council says.
It is one part of the council’s plans for how it will implement the Government’s requirements to boost higher-density housing development, such as apartments and townhouses, across the city.
Two sets of rules are at play, the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD), introduced in August 2020, and the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS), introduced last year. They are intended to increase housing supply and improve affordability.
Auckland Council’s plans, which were released for public consultation yesterday, recommended allowing developments of up to six storeys or more within 15 minutes walk of the central city. It also recommended they be allowed within 10 minutes of 10 large urban centres, train stations and rapid busway stops.
More density around larger town centres with good access to public transport was also now required, the council said. It recommended this should be in the ‘‘terrace housing and apartment building zone’’ up to 400m from larger centres and 200m around smaller town centres.
The council wanted to get Aucklanders’ feedback on these recommendations and on some proposed ‘‘qualifying matters’’, or exemptions, to limit building heights and density.
These exemptions would relate to areas designated as having special character, due to ecological or historical significance, and areas with significant infrastructure constraints.
Auckland’s historic heritage would continue to be protected as a matter of national importance under the Resource Management Act, and heritage protections in the Auckland Unitary Plan would not change. Auckland Council general manager of plans and places John Duguid said many older areas, which are currently special character areas, would be affected.