Property Council has warned Auckland Council is in danger of failing to successfully plan for Auckland and its future growth and prosperity. Councillors must realise that they should make amendments which will encourage rather than hinder development. If the Unitary Plan kills development, house prices will rise drastically. This will exclude new residents and first home buyers from the region.

It is vital to encourage growth in our city and entice skilled and young people into the region, and a key component of doing this is to have a permissive land supply and development policies. This is because the ability to own a home is a key draw card for living in Auckland.

Without a plan that encourages development, historic shortfalls in housing supply will not be addressed – prices will remain phenomenally high. Without the enticement of affordable housing young and skilled people will go elsewhere – Australia, Europe and the Americas, decreasing Auckland’s economic and social vibrancy, including the Council’s rating base.

The Council needs the courage to act and plan for Auckland’s future. It must not unnecessarily pander to short sighted interest groups. It is essential the Council looks at the big picture for Auckland and its future. As such, it must not end up with a plan which kills development, further increases house prices and therefore excludes young and skilled people from the region.

ENDS

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