Intensification Streamlined Planning Processes

Auckland Council is the latest council to seek feedback on its approach to intensification, with its release this week of draft zonings to give effect to the medium density residential standards and National Policy Statement on Urban Development intensification requirements. Details of Auckland Council's proposal can be found here and the GIS layer showing the proposed zonings can be accessed here. Feedback is open until 9 May 2022.
 
This follows on the back of draft plan changes or discussion documents being released in Christchurch, Western Bay of Plenty, Kapiti, Hutt City, and Porirua. Early consultation for Hutt City closes next week.
 
Some of the key issues that are likely to emerge as the plan changes are considered include:

• How councils will address the infrastructure capacity constraints faced in many areas. Opening up further as of right intensification in areas without infrastructure capacity will simply create further headaches for councils down the track.
• How issues of land use incompatibility will be addressed. It will be important for the protections for major infrastructure and industry to continue to be upheld by councils.
• How councils will manage the issues of "special character" areas, particularly those inner-city suburbs that are prime for intensification, but are strongly advocated for by community groups seeking retention of the status quo.

With these plan changes required to be notified by all Tier 1 councils (Tier 1 councils are found in the regions of Auckland, Waikato, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch) by 20 August 2022, it is going to be a fascinating and possibly congested process.
 
Get in touch with one of our experts to understand what these changes mean for you, or how we can assist.

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