Already One But It Might Be Extended Funding, rates, expenses and project deferrals have been all the talk with Auckland and Auckland Council since National won her third term … Continue reading Targeted Rate for the City Rail Link?
Tag: Len Brown
Council Responds to West Auckland Violence Issues
By Parking an Ambulance at the Bottom of the Cliff Auckland Council has finally respond to the violence issues which are plaguing West Auckland at the moment. Council’s solution? … Continue reading Council Responds to West Auckland Violence Issues
Where Next?
Food for thought The elections are over and we can go back to what we were doing prior to the campaign. For me that is focusing back on … Continue reading Where Next?
Is the City Centre Revamps at the Expense of the West
Some would think yes – and just not for the West either The issue has been brewing away for a while and I have mentioned it both in the … Continue reading Is the City Centre Revamps at the Expense of the West
Minutes From Auckland Development September Committee
Minutes up The Minutes from the Auckland Development Committee are up. Please note the Minutes are deemed unconfirmed until the next Auckland Development Committee meeting. For commentary on the … Continue reading Minutes From Auckland Development September Committee
Council Considers Business Land
Well – We Hope After the Auckland Development Committee in June where the Council got itself in a muddle over the Hobsonville Point Marine Precinct (see: A Question About … Continue reading Council Considers Business Land
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.
Downtown Public Space Options
The Queen Elizabeth Square Debate Continues Thursday’s Auckland Committee Agenda is a packed one with one of the items back up on the debate agenda. That item being the … Continue reading Downtown Public Space Options
Prime Minister Endorses Sky Path
National Warm on Skypath
The Prime Minister, and Mayor Len Brown opened the Grafton Gully Cycleway this morning.
While I was not there I have seen plenty of photos of the event (when Spark does not keep dropping my internet out). One thing that caught my attention was this:
The Prime Minister has endorsed Skypath which is better than the two North Shore National Electorate MP’s as well as Ward Councillor George Wood who all seem to be trying to throw spanners into Skypath’s progress
I asked what did it mean when the PM endorsed Skypath and it was said:
So nothing full committal but if National gets their Third Term the Government might via NZTA give some assistance in getting Skypath built. That is fine whether the Government fully funds it or sticks with the Public Private Partnership which means a toll, I am not particular fussed.
But good to see the PM come out and have a ride down the Cycleway after which he gave a warm response to Skypath.
As they say: “Good things take time”
Long Term Plan 2015-2025 Draft is Out
Mayor Presents the Slimmed down Long Term Plan Draft The draft Long Term Plan 2015-2025 is out. From Auckland Council: Mayor proposes $16.6bn of investment for Auckland Auckland Mayor … Continue reading Long Term Plan 2015-2025 Draft is Out
Talking Southern Auckland 
