17 March 2005

Air This Hot Should Be Stored In A Balloon

New Zealand First housing spokesperson Brent Catchpole says it is ludicrous that parcels of air over buildings in Auckland City can be sold, transported and parked before they are moved on again.

Mr Catchpole’s comments follow news that the movement of air rights was standard practice in Auckland and that these rights were being used to allow a property developer to buy the airspace above a historic church to add more levels to a waterfront tower.

“These ‘heritage floor space bonus entitlements’ as they are officially called, are being used to allow buildings to exceed height restrictions, avoid the need for public notification and get around other Resource Management Act requirements,” said Mr Catchpole.

“What is the point of having public notifications, building height restrictions and RMA requirements if this kind of practice is allowed?

“This business of shuffling around the airspace to circumvent regulations is ridiculous and flies in the face of proper building and development procedures,” said Mr Catchpole.

ENDS

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