Media release
14 November 2012

Southerners urged to have their say on growth

Residents in Auckland’s rural south are being invited to have their say on options for new housing and business development in the area as the city prepares for and extra one million people by 2040.

“Auckland’s population is growing fast and our children will need new places to live and work,” says Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse.

While most of Auckland’s growth will be met through intensification within existing urban limits, proposals in the Auckland Plan allow for up to 55,000 new dwellings in the area around Drury, Karaka and Pukekohe over 30 years.

To plan for growth in the south, greenfield areas are being investigated as part of establishing a new Rural Urban Boundary (RUB), which will eventually replace the existing Metropolitan Urban Limit (MUL).

Technical investigations and stakeholder consultation so far have led to the drafting of RUB options for where development can be located in the south.

The deputy mayor says that rural urban boundaries will also be established for the north and west of the city. The proposed boundaries will be included in the draft Auckland Unitary Plan, which will be the new planning rulebook for the city.

“We urge people of the south to attend our community drop-in events and give their feedback on preliminary options of where growth may go,” say Councillor Des Morrison, member of the Unitary Plan Political Working Party and chair of the Rural Advisory Panel, and Andrew Baker, chair of the Franklin Local Board.

“Growth is coming and it can produce great economic benefits to an area with more housing choices, more local jobs, and more services within easy reach to reduce dependence on expensive travel,” Councillor Morrison added.

“We need to provide adequate infrastructure over time while protecting the things that Aucklanders hold special, such as the natural environment, heritage, productive rural land, valued coastal areas and a sense of community.”

Growth at the level planned would bring many changes to the south and it is vital people give their views early in the planning process, he said.

Community drop in events:

Wednesday 21 November: 9.30am – 12.30pm at the Franklin Centre, 12 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe

Tuesday 27 November: 5.30pm – 8.30-pm at the Franklin Centre, 12 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe

Thursday 29 November: 5.30pm – 8.30pm at the Drury Hall, 10 Tui Street, Drury

Council officers will be on hand to explain the RUB and seek community views on options. Information is also available on www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Ends

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