Aucklanders are set to see apartment buildings constructed in central suburbs, as the government pushes the council to allow greater intensification in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Apartments in Three Kings, Auckland (File image). Photo: RNZ / Brad White
But the proposal is being met with some resistance from residents.
Auckland Council has released its proposed approach for putting in place the government's National Policy Statement on Urban Development.
The strategy requires "tier 1" local authorities - such as Auckland, Wellington and Tauranga - to rev up intensification to improve housing affordability and public transport access.
The government policy requires the council to allow up to six-storey buildings within a 15-minute walk of the CBD and a 10-minute walk of metropolitan centres.
The 10 metro centres were Albany, Botany, Henderson, Manukau, Newmarket, New Lynn, Papakura, Takapuna, Sylvia Park and Westgate/Massey North.
Construction of six-storey buildings would also be allowed around train stations on the Western, Southern and Eastern rail lines and stops along the Northern Busway.
The council was also required to allow unrestricted development in the city centre.
However, the council was able to rein in development if a "qualifying matter" applied, meaning "things of national significance in the Resource Management Act, such as protecting historic heritage and the relationship of Māori to their ancestral lands and taonga".
A qualifying matter could also apply to residential areas with "high-quality" special character buildings.
Since many of Auckland's special character areas are contained within the zones tipped for intensification - such as Herne Bay, Ponsonby and Mount Eden - the council aimed to make these exempt to the new rules to protect character housing.
Today, the council met to discuss its proposed approach to the government mandate.
Councillor Linda Cooper said more infrastructure and local employment opportunities needs to be built up in the suburbs before intensification occurs to avoid traffic mayhem.
Residents not convinced by sky-high plans
Sandringham Business Association spokesperson Jithin Chittibomma did not support the plan to allow construction of high-rise buildings.
"One, you're going to kill the ambience. Two, I don't think it's going to solve the housing issue. Three, it's just more congested [with] more cars on the road. We haven't spent much money on infrastructure, but we're talking about high rises," he said.
He was concerned the changes would make it harder for first home buyers to compete with cashed-up developers.
"It would just mean the developers would be inclined to buy a stand-alone house for more money, because now we can build more houses. Instead of getting three town houses, you can get six in an apartment. It's just going to be more difficult for first home buyers to compete with developers."
Sandringham woman Lynda Dye, who owned a town house, wondered whether developers would approach property owners and offer them vast amounts of money to sell up.
"I have people ringing all the time asking if I'd sell. That's all very well, but where would I go to? I have to pay on the same market, so no, I'm not looking to do that yet."
Another Auckland woman, Najma Zareh, looked at other apartments built in the city.
They had not bought down prices.
"Prices are still pretty outrageous. I can't imagine new apartment buildings being built in Sandringham or any other central area being any different."
The public will get to have their say on the proposal, as part of consultation on the Auckland Unitary Plan next year.