Auckland Unleashed

The two hundred plus page document, “Auckland Unleashed” which lays out the Mayor’s plan for the region over the next 50 or so years requires some carefully reading to interpret exactly what is proposed.

Take the section on Howick as an example, which is described as “market attractive”. After working through the weasel words such as “connectedness” and “high amenity”, it is apparent that there are plans for the intense development of Howick with high-rise apartments.

In 2005, the Auckland Regional Council designated Howick as a growth centre under its proposed Plan Change 6. Howick faced the distinct possibility of having housing densities higher than central London forced upon it.

At the time there was a packed public meeting in Howick that expressed without a doubt that the unique character of Howick should be preserved and not be despoiled by intense development rejected 6 years ago. It now appears that this model is being revisited by the new Auckland Council.

Dick Quax

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