9:30 Hour Committee is Unacceptable To the point it shows gross incompetence of (some) Councillors getting stuff done in a Committee of a Whole which means my … Continue reading Councillor Competence
Category: General
Everything else
Fourth Tranche of Special Housing Areas Announced
Council and Government Announces Fourth Tranche for the SHA’s
Yesterday Mayor Len Brown, and Housing Minister Nick Smith announced the fourth trance of the Special Housing Areas.
From Auckland Council
New Special Housing Areas announced
Friday 12 September 2014A fourth tranche of 17 Special Housing Areas (SHAs) that could yield more than 8000 new homes across Auckland has been announced by Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith and Auckland Mayor Len Brown.
“The Auckland Housing Accord was agreed 11 months ago and since then, it has facilitated thousands more sections to be developed and thousands more homes to be built,” says Dr Smith.
“The latest tranche brings the total number of Special Housing Areas in Auckland to 80, with a potential yield of 41,500 homes. This is the momentum and scale we need to improve housing affordability and supply in our largest city.”
“The Special Housing Areas are making a real difference to the number of homes developers are building and planning to build at a range of different price points,” says Mayor Len Brown.
“The council is seeing an exciting pipeline of construction activity that will result in quality residential neighbourhoods in 2015 and beyond.”
“The successful effect of the Housing Accord is obvious in the latest building consent figures, which show 7119 consents were issued in Auckland in the year to July. This represents an annual rate of growth of 30 per cent – the highest in a decade,” says Dr Smith.
“The government’s KiwiSaver HomeStart initiative complements the Special Housing Areas by providing an incentive for builders to construct more homes in an affordable range. The scheme provides $20,000 grants for first-home buyers who have been in KiwiSaver for five years to purchase homes under $550,000 and provides Welcome Home Loans that enable purchases with a 10 per cent deposit,” he says.
The Auckland Housing Accord, agreed last year by Dr Smith and Mr Brown, provides for the creation of SHAs by Auckland Council with the approval of the government. Qualifying developments in these areas can be streamlined and fast-tracked.
The 17 new SHAs have been adopted by Auckland Council but are subject to formal approval by Cabinet and a recommendation to the Governor-General.
The new SHAs are located in Northcote, Mount Wellington, Papakura, Orakei, Pine Hill, Mount Eden, Avondale, Hingaia, Birkenhead, Ellerslie, Avondale, Whenuapai, Mount Albert, Takapuna, Tamaki, and Orewa.
Visit our SHA page for more details.
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More on the Fourth SHA Tranche
September 2014
The overview map shows the fourth set of 17 SHAs. Click individual area names below for more site specific information.
September 2014 overview map (PDF 2MB)
Auckland Council has recommended the following areas. They are now subject to formal approval by Cabinet and a recommendation to the Governor-General.
This overview map showing the fourth set of 17 SHAs. The area names below for more area specific information.
Bellfield Road, Papakura (PDF 587KB) [I have opened the Papakura SHA as an example]
The former Papakura Golf Course, and adjoining property at 117 Opaheke Road which borders the new Opaheke Park, will eventually accommodate approximately 350 homes in an area of high demand.
The new owner of the properties, Motleon Limited, the Principal of whom is Sir Noel Robinson, has embarked upon a master-planned development of the properties that will integrate with Opaheke Park.
As part of the development, Motleon will pay to uplift a public encumbrance on the former golf course property. That money will be spent on improvements and facilities at Opaheke Park to benefit the local community.
Motleon is undertaking detailed storm water modelling, and other technical work, in order to be able to progress consents for the development the land.
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The Overview of the SHA Tranches thus far
Note: This does not include the four developers that have walked away from the Special Housing Areas recently (Special Housing Areas Already in Trouble?)
The Bellfield Road SHA
More on the SHA’s when I cover the Business Land situation later on.
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Interview on City Finances: Done
Will let you know when it airs
I did an interview alongside Rod Oram this morning for the All About Auckland show which airs on Monday evenings on Sky (although soon Freeview). The topic was City Finances in light of the Mayor handing down his presentation of the Draft 2015-2025 Long Term Plan and some realities the City needs to face in this discussion.
I have previously been on the All About Auckland Show talking transport and South Auckland (The Southern Initiative).
I will let you know when the interview is up.
Nature at her Finest but also a stark reminder of her Power
Holy smokin’ toledos…
Nature at her absolute finest
Absolute beauty but a reminder too in New Zealand with our Volcanoes including some 50 in Auckland – 2 being active (relatively so)
HAPPY FATHERS DAY
My First Fathers Day Too
A Happy Fathers Day to all the dad’s out there in New Zealand (and across the World) today. A special mention to Fathers who might no longer be with us as well.
A special mention to two of my long-time friends Cliff and Ben who like me became dad’s for the first time this year 😀
A few sleepless nights at first but it sorts itself out quickly enough and before long we wonder where did the time go.
And with the weather forecast to be an absolute cracker today in Auckland it will make for a great day to be out and about the City.
So a Happy Father’s Day to All – and we shall see you all tomorrow
Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse on ‘Dirty Politics’ « The Daily Blog
Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse Outlines her Disgust at #Dirty Politics Full article here: Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse on ‘Dirty Politics’ « The Daily Blog. Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse has made … Continue reading Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse on ‘Dirty Politics’ « The Daily Blog
We Are Blessed Living in Auckland
Or anywhere else in New Zealand I saw this gem on Facebook last night and reminded me how blessed we are living in NZ when you get this: Credit … Continue reading We Are Blessed Living in Auckland
Crash at Walters Road Level Crossing
How much longer until Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and Kiwi Rail Grade Separate that Crossing?
It was bound to happen!
After the Kiwi Rail Rail Safety Campaign, a piece on TV, countless newspaper articles, presentations to Council and Auckland Transport, and even previous accidents tonight we have a car verses passenger train at the Walters Road, Takanini/Addison Level Crossing tonight.
Buses are running between Papakura and Homai as the accident site is cleared and train services suspended in that area. My thoughts also go out to the train crew and passengers involved in the accident.
So: How much longer until Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and Kiwi Rail Grade Separate that Crossing? And how many more accidents will it take before Auckland Transport stop jerking us around with the $28m apparent cost to grade separate out Walters Road Level Crossing.
With Addison and Papakura developing the traffic which is already bad on Walters Road will only get worse!
Talking Southern Auckland 