Auckland's Development Authority Needs Help

Auckland Council's development authority is falling behind schedule says mayoral candidate Mark Thomas and the government creation of an urban development authority could be a welcome boost. He said this approach seems to mirror the more active approach his growth plans for Auckland include.

Council's development company, Panuku Development Auckland (PDA), has deferred an update on its Onehunga "transformation" plans and has been too slow off the mark in Takapuna. This has allowed more than 4,00 people to sign a petition opposing redevelopment of the 30 years old Takapuna market site - a priority area for new housing under current council plans. Thomas also has concerns that the Tamaki redevelopment project, being shepherded by PDA, is also still moving too slowly.

"John Key's statement the government is considering a urban development authority to make faster progress building new Auckland housing and infrastructure could be the 'kick up the pants' Auckland needs.

"PDA launched with a bang nine months ago and, despite a lot of talking and planning, is being hamstrung by council in making faster progress."

"Auckland needs an urban development authority with genuine authority to 'crack on' with building our desperately needed housing, transport and water infrastructure."

Thomas has already announced plans to establish what he is calling Special Development Areas where the need for new housing is acute. These will replace the Special Housing Areas which expire in October and allow faster house building in key areas such as Onehunga, Henderson, Manukau and Takapuna."

"My SDA's will see council take a more active role resolving problems and move into the development phase more quickly. I will reprioritise council funding to achieve this if necessary."

"We also have a significant infrastructure deficit in Auckland caused by our speed of growth. I will make it easier for private sector infrastructure providers to compete in Auckland using the existing targeted rate mechanism."

Under this scenario, home-owners would pay directly for water and other services and receive discounted council rates to compensate.

Thomas says he is also the only mayoral candidate who is prepared to use existing council assets to help fund the infrastructure gap. He wants Aucklanders to agree to "swap" half the value of the airport shares as well as the port company into transport and other assets that are a higher priority.

"The around $45m per annum dividend loss from reduced airport and port assets, would be more than compensated by a reduction in the more $1.25 billion a year in lost productivity the OECD estimates our traffic congestion is costing Auckland."

Thomas said any government support to make changes to development contributions rules would be welcome but he would press on with his plans regardless of this.

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