Month: October 2013

First Special Housing Accord Development Under Way

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Large Scale Social Housing Project under way in Weymouth

 

I noticed from respected property writer Bob Dey that Auckland Council and the Central Government signed off the first Special Housing Area under the operative Housing Accord. Remembering the Housing Accord could only become operational if the Unitary Plan was notified – which it was.

An excerpt from Bob’s post on the Weymouth Special Housing Area

Tamaki Collective’s Weymouth housing development launched

on Friday 4 October 2013 
Housing Minister Nick Smith and Auckland mayor Len Brown announced New Zealand’s largest community housing development yesterday – the Tamaki Collective’s $102 million development of 282 social & affordable homes on surplus Government land at Weymouth.

Dr Smith said it involved both the Government’s social & affordable housing reforms, helping 113 families into their first home and expanding the provision of community & social housing by 169 units.

“This Weymouth development, which will house 1250 people, will also be the first special housing area under new legislation & the Auckland accord. This will enable the 16ha subdivision of vacant Government land to be fast-tracked, with the first homes ready for occupation by the middle of next year and the entire development completed by 2017.”

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You can read the rest over at Bob’s site.

 

This is where the Special Housing Area development will be:

Weymouth SHA area

 

There is also a second but unrelated (I believe this one is overseen by Housing NZ) Social Housing project under way on Walters Road, Papakura North – next to Papakura Normal School as well.

 

We will have to wait and see if these Social Housing projects do assist with both housing affordability and allowing people into their own homes. What will be just as interesting is to see how these developments hold up in 10 years time.

 

Now where is the next Special Housing Area going to be located.

Things That Really Matter

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Why Your Vote is Extremely Important

 

I open with this:

Things that matter:
Both Bernard Orsman and I (amongst others) were at the Unitary Plan briefing last week on what to expect with the Unitary Plan at notification stage and The Auckland Design Manual.

What do we see:
Bernard Orsman: Berms as the leading issue affecting a very select few on the isthmus of Auckland and absolutely nothing on the Unitary Plan that affects EVERY SINGLE AUCKLANDER and wider New Zealand

Ben Ross via Talking Auckland: Unitary Plan as the leading issue affecting EVERY SINGLE AUCKLANDER and wider New Zealand

Just to put a further emphasis there that Orsman has missed entirely is that in the 2014-2016 term of Council we see the Area Plans come up and into fruition. Area Plans are derived from the Unitary Plan and set urban and social planning for a localised area in Auckland. 21 Local Boards = Countless Area Plans – Area Plans that like the Unitary Plan affect a lot more Aucklanders than berms

So where do your priorities sit? Berms or Unitary/Area Plans?
I know where mine sit

 

I mentioned Area Plans, something of a major exercise that will be undertaken in the 2014-2016 Council Term.

As I said above:  Area Plans are derived from the Unitary Plan and set urban and social planning for a localised area in Auckland.  21 Local Boards = Countless Area Plans – Area Plans.

That is because Area Plans are doing through the 21 Local Boards alongside the Councillors and the Planners. Already I believe one Area Plan has been done with the Mangere/Otahuhu Local Board so 20 more to go by 2016.

Yet this absolutely critical aspect has been forgotten about in this election cycle but many (but not all) candidates vying for our vote!

 

THIS IS EXTREMELY UNACCEPTABLE IN MY EYES!

 

The Mayor will be looking at committing every single resource available for these Area Plans yet people like Orsman rather go focus on trivial issues like berms…

Without Area Plans as an election issue how do voter heck know what voters are voting for if the candidates are not quizzed on it in the election period?

 

So voters; ask the candidates what they will do for your community when the Area Plan process gets under way. I bet most candidates will have no clue – let alone a clue on what an Area Plan is.

 

I know what I am looking for in the respective Papakura and Manukau Area Plans and I voted for council and local board candidates who I know who could do a good job come next year when the AP process begins. Do and have you?

 

Your choice: Candidates focusing on the trivial like berms or candidates who think of both the long game and focus on things that affect you and your community for life – like Area Plans.

 

One last quip on real verse trivial issues – this one on transport:

Here is another one:
Bernard Orsman: Lets Focus on Berms

Real Issue: Orsman’s bus is usually late or does not show up at all when he wants to get to work or go home from work. Auckland Transport seem to ignore this day in day out.

What is the real issue here folks?