Map reveals how new housing intensification rules could affect Auckland suburbs

The interactive map also shows the impacts of the government’s Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS), which are much further reaching.

The MDRS standards, shown on the map in light orange, allow for the development of townhouses with up to three dwellings of three storeys without resource consent. It covers most of suburban Auckland.

Large sections of Westmere and Herne Bay will be upzoned, despite known constraints to the capacity of the wastewater network which cause Cox’s Bay to be classed as unswimmable.

Watercare’s central interceptor, a “super-size wastewater tunnel”, will address this – but that is not due to be completed until at least 2026.

The council can only subvert the government-mandated standards by applying “qualifying matters” which include special character, coastal erosion and volcanic cone view shafts. These are shown on the map if the appropriate layer box is ticked on the left.

However, the capacity of services, such as wastewater, is not considered a qualifying matter.

Head of strategy Megan Tyler said the council was “particularly interested” in hearing the public’s views on the issue of how the city might meet the “infrastructure challenges” caused by increased development.

“It is a real concern for us what widespread intensification will mean for infrastructure. A developer will always pay for some infrastructure cost, but clearly they don't want to pay for everything,” she said.

A developer told Stuff that while the MDRS standards were “a step in the right direction”, they did not go far enough and would not likely produce large-scale development across the city as intended.

Williams Corporation managing director Blair Chappell said in order to get an economy of scale for developers, the standards needed to have allowed for at least six dwellings without resource consent.

He said that in addition to the cost of resource consent, developers had to pay about $15,000 per dwelling to Watercare and $20,000 per dwelling to Vector, as well as charges to Chorus and development contributions.

“I don’t think we will get blocks of three townhouses popping up everywhere. These changes will be more likely to encourage mum and dad investors to put more investment houses on their property.”

Chappell was also doubtful many developers in Auckland had the experience and capital to build large apartment buildings to the extent the new standards would allow.

The council’s interactive map does not show how the changes will affect zoning for houses within a corridor between the city centre and Māngere, which is being investigated for a light rail route.

However, it is presumed that this area would be upzoned to at least medium density, if not six storey-plus, depending on how the light rail project progresses or how qualifying matters might affect zoning.

Aucklanders have until May 9 to give feedback on how the council intends to implement the standards.

Source：

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/property/300570518/map-reveals-how-new-housing-intensification-rules-could-affect-auckland-suburbs