Exciting Times Ahead
And a Reminder on the Unitary Plan
The media was full of positive stories on Auckland and the wider economy this morning. This shows increased confidence which should result in increased investment and growth. That said our authorities need to make sure they do not get in the road of this confidence, investment and growth through chilling effects such as excessive controls on our planning rules like the Unitary Plan.
And speaking with the Unitary Plan it is first up in this post
Judge flexes muscles on blueprint hearings
By Bernard Orsman 5:30 AM Thursday Jan 30, 2014
So far, 973 submissions have been received. Hearings are due to begin in April/May. Photo / NZ Herald
Aucklanders have until the end of next month to lodge submissions on the city’s new planning rulebook, or Unitary Plan, says Environment Court judge David Kirkpatrick.
One of the first tasks Judge Kirkpatrick has done as chairman of the Unitary Plan hearings panel is to clarify dates for the closing of submissions.
The legislation setting up the hearings panel set a closing date for submissions of January 14, but the Auckland Council set a date for February 28.
Yesterday, the judge said he had indicated he would exercise the power under the law to waive the statutory time limit and accept submissions lodged by February 28.
The Unitary Plan is a controversial blueprint for Auckland combining suburban intensification and urban sprawl to fit another one million residents into the city over the next 30 years.
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Concerns have been raised about the appointment of barrister John Fuller, who represented a group of landowners who pushed for a bridge from Karaka to Weymouth before pressure from residents on both sides of the Manukau saw it removed from the draft Unitary Plan.
Residents want Mr Fuller to stand aside on the issue.
Mr Morrison was in the minority group of councillors who pushed for greater intensification of Auckland’s suburbs last year.
Judge Kirkpatrick said the panel was working on guidelines to help people appear before them and, like the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance, would adopt an informal setting to put members of the public at ease.
So far, 973 submissions have been received. Hearings are due to begin in April/May.
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As for Commission John Fuller it is a case of watch and see how that goes. But I can understand the concern of the residents after his appointment owing from the grief THAT bridge when it did originally come up in the first round of feedback early last year.
As for the informal setting for the hearings I thank Judge Kirkpatrick for what he is leading on as it will help put the public’s mind at ease. For me personally this will be my first time before a Hearing that is fronted by Commissioners rather than Councillors. So the guidelines that are coming up will be very much appreciated.
Transport Projects Progressing
Progress of transport projects
By Mathew Dearnaley 5:30 AM Thursday Jan 30, 2014
First electric rail passenger services will start end-April between Onehunga and Britomart. Photo / NZ Herald
1. Western Ring Route
2. AMETI Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative
3. Waikato Expressway
4. Rail electrification
5. AT Hop Card – Integrated public transport ticketing
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For more on the five projects being progressed check the Herald site for full details.
The one thing that caught my attention was the the Waikato Expressway section with the following piece:
3. Waikato Expressway
Cost: $2 billion
Developer: New Zealand Transport Agency
Completion: 2019
What it is: 102km four-lane, dual carriageway from Bombay Hills to about 4km south of Cambridge (bypassed). Runs east of Hamilton, Ngaruawahia and Huntly. 6km shorter than existing route and will reduce travel between Hamilton and Tirau by 35 minutes. A boost to the “golden triangle” economic powerhouse of Auckland, the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.
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See my Entering the City Building Phase – Well the Actual City Phase for more on the Golden Triangle and Auckland
And the Auckland Economy is Growing
Auckland economy set to sparkle
By Anne Gibson 5:30 AM Thursday Jan 30, 2014
Strong building activity was another indicator of the city’s big economic recovery. Photo / Richard Robinson
Auckland’s economic prospects look the best in seven years, based on labour, housing construction and manufacturing activity.
Geoff Cooper, Auckland Council’s chief economist, released his latest economic quarterly update today showing that the city’s growth projections were the best since before the global financial crisis in 2008.
The quarterly, headlined High Hopes for 2014, outlined how many different aspects of Auckland had been strong performers lately and the NZIER’s Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion showed rising optimism.
“The Auckland economy continues to gain momentum through the final quarter of 2013 and enters 2014 on a solid footing,” Cooper said.
Auckland’s annual GDP growth of 2.4 per cent last year was strong.
“This is a measure of transactions happening in the Auckland economy and it shows that people are starting to see opportunities, particularly in the house building area,” Cooper said.
Strong building activity was another indicator of the city’s big economic recovery. Last year, consents were granted for 5647 new residences in Auckland, a big share of the 14,138 consents granted nationally.
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This is good news indeed and in part was first picked when it was observed South Auckland beginning to take off last year: South Auckland – The Rising Jewel in Auckland’s Crown
Furthermore the industry is investing and expanding which means increasing confidence, spending and further investment as seen here: South Auckland gets an early Christmas Present
However, this post here: A Perspective on the CBD and Waterfront serves as a warning as Auckland grows and what we should be growing and NOT be growing.
My Civics 601 post on blogging and the run up to the Auckland Development Committee due to be held February 13 will be up tomorrow.
Talking Southern Auckland 