30 August 2013

Council progresses towards Proposed Unitary Plan
 
Councillors and local board chairs have wrapped up the first three days of decisions on changes to the draft Unitary Plan.
 
Key parts of the plan, including residential zones, affordable housing, business zones, parking, the Port and the City Centre were covered at the meetings. Changes were discussed for each topic and the majority of issues resolved.
 
Residential zones were the major focus of the discussions. Decisions were reached on all of the residential changes except for one proposal regarding greater flexibility for density on sites larger than 2,500 sqm in the Mixed Housing Suburban Zone, which will be revisited next week.
 
Auckland Plan Committee Chair, Penny Hulse says “We have had three days of robust debate, discussions and decision making. The involvement of the local board chairs has been extremely valuable in these discussions and I am pleased with the progress we’ve made.”
 
Some of the key changes decided at the Auckland Plan Committee meetings included:
 
Further reclamation for the Port to be a non-complying activity and a stage 2 study to be undertaken

Require all residential development of 15 or more dwellings to include at least 10% of dwellings as retained affordable housing

On 1200 sqm (or more) sites in the Mixed Housing Suburban Zone, a maximum of one dwelling for every 200 sqm

Residential developments of five or more houses will require a six star Homestar energy rating

Primary and secondary schools will now have a special purpose school zone
 
Additional Auckland Plan Committee meetings will continue next week to discuss the remaining issues on the agenda.
 
ENDS

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Trial Over 'Anonymous' Donations: John Banks Resigns As Minister

ACT Leader John Banks today confirmed that he has stood down from his Ministerial positions following today’s decision at the Auckland District Court.

“Last week I indicated to the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff that I would offer my resignation should the matter relating to my 2010 Mayoral Electoral return be committed to trial,” Mr Banks said...

“I intend to continue in my role as ACT Leader and MP for Epsom, and ACT will continue to support National on matters of confidence and supply. More>>