Media Release

Cr Dick Quax

Monday, 7 October 2013

Census Confirms Auckland’s Population Growth Less Than Planned For

Statistics New Zealand confirmed that New Zealand’s population growth has slowed over the last 6 years and according to Auckland Councillor Dick Quax this has huge implications for the planned growth and the Auckland Unitary Plan now out for submission.

Since the last census in 2006 the population growth for the entire country has slowed dramatically to just 31,000 a year.

“That is a drop from the year on year nationwide population growth of 58,000 which occurred in the years leading to the 2006 Census. During the 1990s the growth was 61,000 per year.”

The Auckland Plan which informs the Unitary Plan has always assumed a population growth of 1 million over the next 30 years.

Based on the population information released today the Department of Statistics Auckland is likely to add just 500,000 extra people by 2041.

“This has enormous implications for the future planning of the region including the highly criticised plan for future urban intensification which plans to accommodate 280,000 new dwellings with the present metropolitan urban limits.”

“Some of my Council colleagues and I, especially Chris Fletcher have always questioned whether the population projections assumed by the Auckland Council planners were realistic. It now appears they are not realistic and I am calling on those planners to make the necessary adjustments to the Unitary Plan.”

“No doubt the Government will be reassessing future infrastructure needs and the Auckland Council needs to do the same.”

The Inner City Rail Loop is just one of the projects that need to be reassessed in light of the new growth figures according to Cr Quax.

Ends

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