Media Release

27 July 2016

Auckland Council urged to adopt Unitary Plan as a package – “Councillor’s cherry picking recommendations would be unhelpful,” says Michael Barnett

If there are wrinkles in the new plan that need sorting these can be addressed as plan changes to what by then would be the new, single Plan,” said Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett.

Noting that the Panel had stressed that its recommendations are integrated and consistent and any changes could have consequential changes elsewhere in the document, “councillors need to be careful not to expose the Council to appeals resulting in more delay, confusion and expense.”

“Auckland is at a stage where we have to move forward and get past the patch protection mentality. We all know many more houses are needed immediately. This Plan provides a clear pathway for faster action.”

“My sense is that the business community wants the plan adopted as a package, “so we can move on with greater speed and certainty.”

However, he indicated concern that the Panel appears to have concentrated on existing corridors and central suburbs, with provision for 270,000 of the 422,000 dwellings it wants built by 2030. “Will we be able to make the huge investment in transport infrastructure that will be required – my sense is ‘no’,” concluded Mr Barnett.

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