Urban Development News from the media | 19 August 2025 | All aboard for allowing 15-storey towers around Auckland train stations

All aboard for allowing 15-storey towers around Auckland train stations

Aucklanders could soon see 15-storey apartment towers sprouting up around train stations, under a new council plan that also clamps down on building in flood-prone suburbs.

The draft changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan — to be considered by the council’s Policy and Planning Committee on Thursday — would replace Plan Change 78 and go further, with tougher hazard protections and a sharper focus on building housing where it is safest and best connected.

Under the proposals, land around stations such as Maungawhau, Kingsland, Morningside, Mt Albert and Baldwin Avenue would be rezoned to allow high-rise development, more than doubling the current six-storey baseline.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360795318/all-aboard-allowing-15-storey-towers-around-auckland-train-stations

Law passed to speed up critical infrastructure

Shovels will be in the ground faster for critical infrastructure projects following the passing of the Public Works Act Amendment Bill today, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Land Information Minister Chris Penk say.

“Infrastructure projects drive economic growth, create jobs, and lift productivity. That means businesses can pay higher wages and the Government can invest more in health, education and other public services,” Mr Bishop says.

“There is an urgent need to address New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit and to deliver critical projects at pace."

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/law-passed-speed-critical-infrastructure?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Port of Auckland works first project to get consent under fast-track regime

The government is celebrating the first project to get consent under the coalition's fast-track regime.

The Port of Auckland expansion starts construction next month, and includes a new reinforced concrete-piled wharf at the Bledisloe Terminal, an extension of the Fergusson North Berth, a cruise passenger terminal and other upgrades.

The new multi-cargo wharf will relocate roll-on/roll-off capacity and have capacity for cruise ships more than 300m long, allowing the Princess Wharf berth to be reserved for smaller ships.

The Fergusson extension will enable more cranes to access the full length of the berth.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/570624/port-of-auckland-works-first-project-to-get-consent-under-fast-track-regime

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