Councillor John Gillon
Community Organisation
Community Organisation
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Did you receive this letter from Auckland Council? It is being delivered to every household in Auckland and is causing a bit of confusion.
Essentially, it is inviting everyone in Auckland to comment on proposed changes to the Unitary Plan from 3 November. The Unitary Plan is the set of rules … View moreDid you receive this letter from Auckland Council? It is being delivered to every household in Auckland and is causing a bit of confusion.
Essentially, it is inviting everyone in Auckland to comment on proposed changes to the Unitary Plan from 3 November. The Unitary Plan is the set of rules that says what can and can't be built on each property. The proposed changes (Plan Change 120) are so significant and change the rules so much for most properties, that over time, most streets and neighbourhoods will likely be affected in some way. That's why all home owners and renters are being invited to submit.
The consultation will open on 3 November and more info will be available online then.
I've attached the zone maps for the North Shore that show the proposed new zone for each property. More maps showing more information for the North Shore and other parts of Auckland can be downloaded from the below link, and further information including factsheets will be available from 3 November: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz...
So what is this all about? It's complicated, but here's a brief history:
➡️ In 2016, the Unitary Plan zone rules allowed for an additional 900,000 new dwellings to be built, with greater intensification and higher building heights across much of Auckland. It also allowed buildings to stretch across land parcels, and reduced the amount of outdoor space needed for each dwelling. Since then, we've seen a lot more intensive housing being built and pressure on infrastructure.
➡️ In 2022, the Labour Government's MDRS rules came into effect, which allowed any property in Auckland to have up to 3 dwellings of 3 storeys built without needing a resource consent. This was to force Auckland to accommodate up to 2 million dwellings. However, Auckland Council's changes to the Unitary Plan to allow for this (called Plan Change 78) never fully came into effect, leading to a confusing layering of rules and much debate at consent hearings. While the MDRS rules didn't apply in special character areas, significant ecological areas, or any area that didn't have adequate infrastructure, it did apply in many flood plain and erosion-prone areas.
Also in 2022, the Government prohibited Councils from requiring developers to have on-site carparks. This has lead to a noticeable increase in cars parked on roads, creating safety and visibility issues on narrow roads.
➡️ The Unitary Plan together with the MDRS rules have led to a "pepper pot" approach to town planning, as new developments have appeared on almost every suburban road, with Council having to play catchup with infrastructure everywhere, rather than in a planned or staged manner.
➡️ This year, the National Government has allowed Auckland to opt out of the MDRS rules, and to make it more difficult to build on flood plains and coastal areas. But the Government is instead forcing Auckland to still accommodate 2 million new dwellings. To do this, Council is proposing Plan Change 120 which includes big changes to what can be built on most properties.
Some of the changes:
🏢 All zones have had changes made to the detail of them. So even if your property or your neighbour’s property is proposed to have the same zone as before, there may be changes that you should be aware of.
🏢 Many properties that were zoned for 2-storey “Mixed Housing Suburban Zone” are being up-zoned to 3-storey “Mixed Housing Urban Zone”. This affects most suburban roads and will allow 3 storey buildings by default, rather than 2 storeys as at present.
🏢 Terraced and apartment housing will be allowed up to 6 storeys high by default on main road corridors, such as Glenfield Rd, Onewa Rd, Mokoia Rd, Kitchener Rd, Hurstmere Rd and Killarney St.
🏢 There will be higher heights of 10-15 storeys allowed by default in “walkable catchments” around bus stations, train stations, town centres and some local centres, for example, 10 storeys around the Sunnynook Bus Station and 15 storeys in parts of Takapuna.
🏢 A lot of Single House Zoned properties will be up-zoned, except for coastal areas due to the risk erosion and slips; around many significant ecological areas due to the impact on the bush and risk of slips; and in special character areas.
🏢 There will be a reduction in the number of properties with Special Character Area overlay, with reductions in Devonport, Birkenhead and Northcote Point, and with the greatest number removed from Mt Eden.
🏢 If a property has a Natural Hazard layer applied to it, the underlying zone will still apply, however a developer will need to show that the design mitigates the hazard, for example, in a flood plain.
The final official results of the Auckland Council election were released today, confirming that I've been elected as one of your Auckland Councillors for the North Shore, alongside Richard Hills! And we are the two highest polling councillors in Auckland!
I'd like to thank everyone … View moreThe final official results of the Auckland Council election were released today, confirming that I've been elected as one of your Auckland Councillors for the North Shore, alongside Richard Hills! And we are the two highest polling councillors in Auckland!
I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me, whether by voting for me, helping me with the campaign, or by speaking to me on your doorstep. I'm humbled, but also very happy, to have received such a high level of support and mandate from across the North Shore.
I also re-stood for the Kaipātiki Local Board as part of the fantastic Shore Action team and I'm very proud that the official results have confirmed that we have once again succeeded in winning all 8 seats! Thankyou to everyone for your on-going confidence in Shore Action!
However, as I've been elected as a councillor, I've vacated my local board seat which allows the next-highest polling candidate, independent Emma Ryburn-Phengsavath, to join the board. Congratulations to Danielle Grant, Paula Gillon, Melanie Kenrick, Dr Janet Tupou, Dr Raymond Tan, Dave Kaio and Emma Ryburn-Phengsavath!
Congratulations also to the new Devonport-Takapuna Local Board members - George Wood, Gavin Busch, Trish Deans, Garth Ellingham, Terence Harpur and Scott MacArthur!
I look forward to a close working relationship with all of the above North Shore local board members.
Lastly a huge thankyou to Mandy, Charlotte and Veronica for your endless support and help with the campaign, and also to Mum and Dad who delivered my newspaper and flyer to a phenomenal number of letterboxes!
Full results for Auckland Council can be found here:
voteauckland.co.nz...
Major work is coming to Beach Haven Road between Tramway Rd and Lancaster Rd, including a full rebuild of the road and improved drainage.
Phase 1 of the project prepares the road (drains, roadside edge, and footpaths) and will take 9 weeks with night works for much of that.
The road will be … View moreMajor work is coming to Beach Haven Road between Tramway Rd and Lancaster Rd, including a full rebuild of the road and improved drainage.
Phase 1 of the project prepares the road (drains, roadside edge, and footpaths) and will take 9 weeks with night works for much of that.
The road will be fully closed during the day for the first week, from Sunday 21st to Sunday 28th September with a detour in place. There will also be day works for a week after that.
Phase 2 is the road rebuild and resurfacing to make it stronger and longer lasting. it will be carried out in Late December, with more info on that to come.
More information: haveyoursay.at.govt.nz...
Phase 1 includes:
• Installing new underground drains
• Replacing the old footpath and roadside drains
• Upgrading stormwater system
• Laying new concrete footpath and roadside edge
• Final resurfacing with new asphalt
• Expect traffic delays, especially during peak times. We will need to temporarily close bus stops, and some services will be affected – please use the AT mobile app or the QR codes on posters available at the effected bus stops for more information.
• Temporary vehicle access to local properties will be maintained, however this access won’t be available on the day of concrete pours and whilst the concrete cures. Residents will be contacted 24 hours prior to the concrete pours to help accommodate any specific needs. If your driveway is restricted, you will need to park nearby and walk home. On-street parking will be limited.
• Footpaths will remain accessible to local residents.
• Council waste and recycling collection will continue as normal. If access to your bin collection spot is restricted, our team will assist you with an alternative location.
• Bus stops may move, but we’ll manage access to homes. Please use the AT mobile app or posters available at the effected bus stops for more information.
More information: haveyoursay.at.govt.nz...
I oppose the proposed congestion charging. Are you prepared to pay $5 per trip to work or school? Up to $50 per week?
The Mayor and the Government are working on introducing a charge that is supposed to reduce congestion, but will actually punish North Shore drivers and their families just trying … View moreI oppose the proposed congestion charging. Are you prepared to pay $5 per trip to work or school? Up to $50 per week?
The Mayor and the Government are working on introducing a charge that is supposed to reduce congestion, but will actually punish North Shore drivers and their families just trying to get to work on time. Most workers do not have the flexibility to change their working hours - to start late or work from home for an hour or two before travelling to work. And North Shore workers have less ability to avoid congestion than other parts of Auckland.
There is no guarantee that this tax will be used to improve public transport, and simply imposing another tax will not alleviate congestion. If we really want to relieve congestion in Auckland, a better option would be to make all public transport free or as close to free as possible.
Read more in the attached article from my North Shore Post newspaper that can be downloaded from: www.johngillon.co.nz...
- Authorised by John Gillon, john@johngillon.co.nz
Download your copy of John Gillon's "The North Shore Gazette"!
Or let me if you would like a hard copy delivered to your letterbox!
📰 Download now from: www.johngillon.co.nz...
Learn more about John Gillon and some of the issues facing the North Shore:
➤ Fixing Lake Road -… View moreDownload your copy of John Gillon's "The North Shore Gazette"!
Or let me if you would like a hard copy delivered to your letterbox!
📰 Download now from: www.johngillon.co.nz...
Learn more about John Gillon and some of the issues facing the North Shore:
➤ Fixing Lake Road - John has the solution
➤ Preventing Flooding in Milford and Wairau
➤ North Shore Local Board budgets slashed
➤ Proposed halving of rubbish collection "unfair" to large families
➤ Removal of public rubbish bins "outrageous"
➤ The trouble with loose chip seal
➤ John opposes congestion charging - a $5 tax per trip
➤ A new regional park for the North Shore in Birkenhead
➤ The Unitary Plan needs to be reviewed and loopholes closed
➤ Importance of shade sails over playgrounds
➤ Dog fees may be illegally calculated
➤ Compliance and enforcement woefully underfunded
➤ Crowing roosters are a nuisance, but council won't act
📰 Download now from: www.johngillon.co.nz...
Authorised by John Gillon, john@johngillon.co.nz
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