Auckland is in the throes of an intense and time-constrained discussion about its housing future, due to recent legislation passed by central government. The legislation, which requires council to choose whether to proceed with Plan Change 78 or instead notify an alternative plan change, is creating uncertainty in the community, exacerbated by the short timeframe decreed by central government, and by inaccurate information being shared by some elected members.

“Unfortunately there has been a lot of inaccurate information being shared which is undermining this important public conversation about how we address our housing crisis, keep people safe from flooding, and balance protecting the heritage of our city as it grows,” says Albert-Eden Puketāpapa Councillor Julie Fairey.

The decision being made by Auckland Council on Wednesday 24 September is whether to continue with Plan Change 78, which was notified in 2022 in response to the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) legislation, or to replace it with the proposed new plan change.

To help people across the Albert-Eden-Puketapapa area understand these options, City Vision is holding a webinar on Monday 15 September at 7pm. Councillor Julie Fairey will explain what’s happening, share maps and information, answer questions, and discuss next steps.

Councillor Fairey says, “Over the last fortnight I’ve been sharing maps and links to further information, showing people comparisons between the current rules, PC78 and the new proposal, and answering dozens of queries on specific streets. People understandably have a lot of questions, especially given the quick timeframe from central government. At a resident’s meeting in Mt Albert a constituent asked me when council would be taking her house. The scaremongering that some are indulging in had her genuinely concerned that the rezoning of the land she owns meant council would require her to build something else there or take her home. Plan changes don’t require landowners to do anything, they merely allow and restrict future changes.”

“Auckland has always been a city that grows and changes, bringing opportunities and challenges. We all have a responsibility to share accurate information as elected members, whether in central and local government, and City Vision is committed to sharing facts and information with our community about the city we all love,” says Jon Turner, Julie’s running mate for Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa.

Note:

City Vision is an alliance of Labour, Greens and community independents working together for progressive change in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Since 1998, City Vision has championed policies that support a liveable, safe, connected, healthy, economically and environmentally sustainable city for all Aucklanders. City Vision stands candidates for the Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa and Waitemata and Gulf wards; the Albert-Eden, Puketāpapa and Waitematā local boards; and the Portage Licensing Trust.

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