December 8, 2020

NZ Urban Development news from the media | 8 Dec 2020 | Planning northwest Auckland’s transport future together

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Hi *|FNAME|*, Please find below Urban Development News from the media from the week of 8 December 2020.

Provided by Rockhopper Development Management & Advisory, a member of:

Planning northwest Auckland’s transport future together

Aucklanders are invited to have their say on future transport plans for new growth areas in the northwest until 15 January 2021.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport are seeking community feedback on a range of proposals for public transport, new walking and cycling networks, and new and improved roads.

Rodney Local Board Chair Phelan Pirrie says long-term transport connections are much needed, and Waka Kotahi and Auckland Transport are working together with Auckland Council’s approach to growth.

“Right now, people living in the northwest have limited options for travelling to work, study and social activities.

https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/articles/news/2020/12/planning-northwest-auckland-s-transport-future-together/

Ceremony marks the completion of Toka Puia car park in Takapuna

Just over two years ago, construction of a new car park building for Takapuna got underway. The new car park, on the corner of Huron, Northcroft and Auburn streets, is now complete and will open its doors to Takapuna locals and visitors from Thursday 3 December 2020.

Marking the completion, a karakia whakawātea (blessing ceremony) took place on site on Friday 27 November, attended by those who have been part of the development. The group gathered just before dawn, joining a procession around the site led by mana whenua reciting a karakia (blessing) to cleanse the area.

A name for the car park was revealed at the ceremony. The name ‘Toka Puia’ was gifted by mana whenua. It references the volcanic rock – ‘toka’ that the spring originally flowed from – ‘puia’.

https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/articles/news/2020/12/ceremony-marks-the-completion-of-toka-puia-car-park-in-takapuna/

46-year high for new home consents

Almost 38,000 new homes were consented in the year to October 2020, the highest number since 1974, boosted by more townhouses, flats, and units, Stats NZ said today.

The number of new homes consented in the year to October 2020 was 37,981, up 2.8 percent from 2019.

“Annual new homes consented reached 37,000 late in 2019 and are now close to 38,000 for the first time in decades,” construction statistics manager Michael Heslop said.

The all-time high for annual home consents was 40,025 in the February 1974 year.

The rise in new homes consented was driven by strong growth in plans to build townhouses, flats, and units in the past year.

https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/46-year-high-for-new-home-consents

Car park requirements to be kicked to the kerb in January

Nelson City Council will no longer be able to require car parking in new developments come New Year's Day, as it puts the Government's new policy into effect.

The Government’s newest policy statement for urban development requires councils to remove on-site parking rates by no later than the end of next year.

Under current rules, residential and commercial developments must meet minimum parking provisions set by the council in consent conditions. Under the new Government policy, councils must remove those minimum requirements “as soon as practicable”.

Developers are still free to provide car parking space, but the number of spaces would be a matter of the developers’ discretion rather than by council requirement.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/123558290/car-park-requirements-to-be-kicked-to-the-kerb-in-january