29 September 2006

Plan change will transform Glen Innes

Auckland City Council has accepted planning commission recommendations for a revised plan change that will see Glen Innes town centre and the surrounding residential area transformed over the next 20 years.

Councillor Faye Storer, chair of the hearing panel, said that the revised plan change provided potential for around 900 new homes in Glen Innes and would cater for both growing families and new arrivals. Over the next two decades, Glen Innes' population will grow by up to 3000 people.

"This plan change will assist with the revitalisation of Glen Innes and ensure that local people have real housing options now and in the future."

Plan change 61 allows rezoning of some parts of Glen Innes from residential 5, 6a, 7a and 7b to residential 6a, 8a and 8b. This provides for low-rise apartment, terrace housing and town house development within a 10 minute walk of Glen Innes town centre.

"It allows for medium density, low-rise living in a compact, sustainable community with access to local services and good public transport links," Ms Storer said.

In response to public submissions, planning commissioners made a number of changes to the original notified plan change. In particular, the plan retained some areas zoned residential 5 and 6A at this density to provide an opportunity for larger family homes and to provide a greater variety of housing choice within the wider Glen Innes area. For example, the area bounded by Anderson Avenue, Ropata Avenue, Pt England Road and Waddell Avenue will remain residential 6a.

Ms Storer noted that the planning commissioners felt these revisions to the plan change were necessary to create a greater mix of public and private housing, provide for a variety of age groups and household sizes and cater for different lifestyles, while still meeting the need for greater densities and population growth.

Housing Minister Chris Carter on September 18 announced plans for redeveloping Housing New Zealand owned land that would provide opportunities for private home ownership, including homes for first time homeowners and families with modest incomes.

"The revised plan change will complement the Minister's plans for this to happen in Glen Innes where Housing New Zealand is a major land owner," Ms Storer noted.

The commissioners also made recommendations regarding the need for more open space and upgraded public parks and reserves in the area covered by the plan.

ENDS

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