Auckland Unitary Plan update

Auckland Council has made good progress with its final decisions on the Auckland Unitary Plan today with many Independent Hearings Panel recommendations adopted by the council’s Governing Body.

Today’s debate focused on agenda item 11 – parts A, B and C.

The Governing Body debated Item 11 – Report 2: Response to the recommendations of the Auckland Unitary Plan Independent Hearings Panel on the provisions of the Plan.

Decisions were made on parts A and B with debate continuing on part C. The Governing Body decisions are summarised below. The decisions taken today are the council’s final decisions on the Auckland Unitary Plan.

The Governing Body will reconvene tomorrow at 9.30am from Item 11, part C 6.4 – Rural Environment.

More detailed information on what was debated today can be found in the agenda available on Auckland Council’s website. The meeting minutes with a full summary of decisions will be added once confirmed.

This meeting was also webcast on the council’s website and items are available on demand.

Decision Summary

Part A – Independent Hearings Panel recommendations adopted by the Governing Body in full:

001 Auckland – wide, 002 Eplan, 003 Chapter A Introduction, 005 – Issues of Regional Significance, 006 – Natural resources, 010 Biodiversity, 007 – Climate Change, 008 – Coastal Environment, 018 Monitoring and environmental results anticipated, 019 – Natural features, landscapes and character, 024 – Genetically Modified organisms, 027 – Artworks, signs and temporary activities, 031 – Historic heritage, 040 – Lighting, noise and vibration

Part B - Panel recommendations that represent a policy shift from the council’s position but the Governing Body agreed to adopt in full:

020 – Viewshafts, 023 – Significant ecological areas and vegetation management, 045 Airports, 076 – Major Recreation Facility Zone and precincts.

Further work was requested from council staff before decisions are made on topics 077 – Sustainable Design, 010 – Historic Heritage, and requirements for design statements in 004 General Rules.

Additionally, on topic 032 – Schedule of Historic Heritage, the Governing Body agreed to adopt the Panel’s recommendations with the exception of the Panel’s recommended deletion of the Symonds Street flats, 44 Symonds St, City Centre.

Part C - Panel recommendations that represent a policy shift from the council’s position and where the Governing Body adopted with the following exceptions:

• 006 and 035 - Air quality – the Governing Body rejected the Panel’s recommendation to delete the Auckland Ambient Air Quality Standards.

• 009 – Mana Whenua and 036/037 – Maori land and Treaty and Mana Whenua sites – the Governing Body adopted the Panel’s recommendation to delete Sites and Places of Value to the Mana Whenua overlay and associated provisions.

• 010/029/030/079 – RPS Heritage/ special character and pre-1944 – the Governing Body rejected the deletion of the objective that provides for management of heritage values in the Regional Policy Statement.

ENDS

© Scoop Media