The Fast-track Approvals Bill could see 8000 new homes for Wellington. Photo: 123rf
- Government's Fast-Track Approvals Bill could add more than 8000 new homes to the Wellington region
- Housing development is a big focus of the bill's earmarked projects, making up six of the 11 proposals
- Transport Minister's 'Long Tunnel' among projects
The government's Fast-track Approvals Bill could see a much-needed boost to Wellington's housing supply, but some of the projects are not without controversy.
On Sunday, the government revealed the 149 projects to be included in the bill, which is due to go before the environment select committee this month.
Housing was a big focus for the capital, with six of the 11 named projects slated to add more than 8000 new homes across the Kāpiti Coast and Hutt Valley, should they go ahead.
The other projects listed included the "Long Tunnel" currently under investigation by the Transport Agency and replacing the seawall at the southern end of the Wellington Airport runway.
Read more:
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Housing: What has been given the green light?
The Wellington Company has two projects on the list, which would see a combined 2350 new homes built around Kāpiti Coast.
Developments at Plimmerton Farm in Porirua and Silverstream Forest in Upper Hutt - which have previously been controversial - were also given the green light.
Porirua, north of Wellington, has seen significant growth in recent years, and under the bill, stands to gain 3300 new homes.
The Plimmerton Farm project - which seeks to build 2400 new homes in addition to a commercial area, retirement village and school - would make up the bulk of the new properties in Porirua.
The project, which received consent in 2021 by then-environment minister David Parker - has been criticised by environmental groups due to its proximity to Taupō Swamp, a 25 hectares lowland swampland classified as nationally significant.
Porirua mayor Anita Baker, who has long been an advocate for the the project, said she was confident the checks and balances to protect the wetland would be sufficient.
She told RNZ on Monday Porirua was in desperate need of more homes, as the city's growth outstripped demand.
Both the Plimmerton Farm project and the slated 900-home development for Pukerua Bay would deliver a much-needed boost to the housing supply, she said.
Meanwhile, the Silverstream Forest Development - which seeks to develop 330 hectares of land for 1500-2040 new homes - has also faced opposition.
The Post reported last month on moves by the Upper Hutt City Council to block the project by rezoning a crucial parcel of land, and the Hutt City Council's opposition to the development due to its proximity to the landfill.
In addition to the proposed 1800 new homes, The Wellington Company's New Central Park project would see an extension to the Paraparaumu Town Centre, including a mix of commercial and retail properties.
The developer's other project - slated for Ōtaki Māori Racing Club - would include 550 residences, and Waikanae could see 1000 new homes built under the Waikanae North Developments proposal.
Infrastructure: Transport Minister's 'Long Tunnel' named in list
The so-called "Long Tunnel" has been named as one of the five infrastructure projects included in the Fast-track Approvals Bill for Wellington.
The proposal, which would see a 4km-long tunnel under the city bypassing congestion sites around the Basin Reserve and Mt Victoria tunnel, is being investigated by the NZ Transport Agency under the instruction of Minister of Transport Simeon Brown.
Official Information Act documents released to RNZ showed from 1 April 2024 to 30 June 2024, nearly $1.3 million had been spent on consultants to investigate the tunnel project as well as the Basin Reserve upgrade project.
Two Transpower projects were also included in the list, one of which would see a replacement of the undersea cables that connect the North Island and South Island, while the proposal by Wellington Airport to replace the seawall at the southern end of the runway and an extension to the Belmont Quarry also made the cut.
Full list of projects named in Fast-track Approvals Bill for Wellington region
- The Wellington Company: New Central Park - extends Paraparaumu Town Centre, including approximately 1800 residential properties, commercial, retail, tourism, mixed use and aged care.
- The Wellington Company: Ōtaki Māori Racing Club development - includes 550 residential units
- Guildford Timber Company: Silverstream Forest - develops 330ha in Upper Hutt, to create 1500-2040 new homes across five neighbourhoods
- Waikanae North - master-planned urban development of over 1000 homes, a local centre and "complementary activities such as a retirement village and a school"
- KM and MG Holdings: Plimmerton Farm - 2400 homes, commercial area, retirement village, and school
- Classic Group: Mt Welcome, Pukerua Bay - 900 houses and accompanying infrastructure
- Wellington International Airport - replace and upgrade seawall at southern end of runway
- NZTA Waka Kotahi - improve SH1 between the Terrace Tunnel and Kilbirnie, primarily from a second Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve improvements
- Transpower - secondary indoor substation near the Central Park Substation
- Transpower - upgrade the HVDC inter-island transmission link and replace undersea cables that connect the North Island and South Island of New Zealand
- KiwiRail - upgrades to Wairarapa Line between Wellington and Masterton, and North Island Main Trunk Line between Wellington and Palmerston North
- Winstone Aggregates - new overburden disposal area adjacent to Belmont Quarry