14 Special Housing Areas Could Face Please Explain Letters
Forgive me if I see some irony between this:
Source: @FoxyLustyGrover
And this from Radio NZ:
Few in line for Housing Accord clampdown
The Government’s threat to revoke fast-track planning status from up to 14 Auckland housing developments may end up hitting far fewer than first thought.
The Minister of Building Housing Nick Smith said a “please explain” letter would be sent to landowners who had so far failed to use the Special Housing Area status granted under the Housing Accord.
The Minister has the power to revoke the fast-track status if demand for housing in a designated area is not shown.
Dr Smith said 14 of 84 Special Housing Areas in Auckland had made no significant progress under the process designed to speed up housing construction.
Auckland Council will first check the list, saying some may be about to start, while others may be developers who are proceeding using the normal planning process.
Neither the minister nor Auckland mayor Len Brown would comment further on the move, which was agreed at a meeting last Wednesday.The accord is intended to contribute to the creation of 39,000 new sections or consents for homes over a three year period – more than double the rate prior to 2013.
Six weeks ago, a joint statement by the pair praised progress under the accord, with the minister saying it was “beginning to pay dividends,” and the mayor crediting it with “succeeding in growing housing supply.”
It is not clear what, if anything, lies behind the decision of Prime Minister John Key yesterday to announce the threat of “please explain” letters.
…….
Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/271709/few-in-line-for-housing-accord-clampdown
I am aware that the Addison Special Housing Area that was to yield 500 houses reverted back to normal planning processes last year, so I wonder who the other 13-14 are? Hopefully not the Wesley College SHA which is the largest at 2,000 homes, as it also provides the catalyst for the Paerata Train Station on the Southern Line.
That said I am holding a neutral view as Todd Niall is on the situation:
I have also seen this as well from the same Radio NZ article:
However its partner, Auckland Council, is less keen on further larger rural land blocks being added until it can be sure that infrastructure and services can be provided.
The number of new developments being approved under the Housing Accord is drying up, with none of those considered last week by the council being accepted.
……..
Unless the Government is willing to shell one third of the associated infrastructure costs for such rural developments then I can understand why Council is saying no with the Long Term Plan stretched as is at the moment.
Talking Southern Auckland 
Living in Papakura I’ve watched for progress at McLenan Park. Referencing a Simon Collins blog of Oct 12, 2012. https://voakl.net/2012/10/13/papakura-set-for-large-housing-development/ The project obviously began as a Low Cost Housing subdivision to take advantage of the fast tracking. Since then intensive lobbying from the nearby Addison residents and property owners has seen the developers change the intended use. Quite frankly, Simons take on the original plan was and still is spot on. Section size and access are of concern. So now we have a situation were special fast tracking was invoked and once the area got to the section sale and building stage, the intent has been changed? That’s not right!!