🎉 VICTORY: When collective pressure breaks open secrets and forces positive change! 🎉
After months of persistence, we as a community successfully pushed Auckland Council to fix their unfair stormwater development contributions policy for free-standing and detached homes – and the changes are coming in the new policy (and were actually implemented from August 2024 based on the communications I received).
📋 The Background:
• 2012: Council was told not to create this unfair system for these house types (they did it anyway)
• 2022: PwC reminded them again… they kept taking money because too few knew about it and had their estimates reassessed
• August 2024: Collective pressure seems to have made them change (they officially told me this a couple of weeks ago)
• In the past Council processed multiple reassessment applications by those who ‘knew’ the secret — ssshhhh — few talked about it for fear of retribution or missing out on fees
😂 Personal note: They processed everyone else’s applications but somehow “not” mine when I asked politely in July 2024. Finally got agreement on 28 May 2025 – better late than never! LOL
🏠 What this means for you as a developer under the new policy:
Free-standing and duplex houses on lots under 292 m² will now be assessed on ACTUAL impervious surface area (not the inflated 292 m² assumption).
This could save thousands in development contributions!
⚠️ Critical trap to avoid: If your lot is 292 m² or bigger, DON’T build a small house! Here’s why:
💸 The logic of a cut-off at 292 m² makes no sense to me so I think you should just avoid the ‘gouge’ spot (requesting reassessments can be problematic for some developers 😤:
*** Here is an example of using a fixed charge of $7,000 for 1.0 HUE:
• Smaller than 292 m² lot + 80 m² ISA build = $1,726 stormwater charge
• Bigger than 292 m² lot + 80m² ISA build = $6,300 stormwater charge
• Same house, $4,574 MORE just because your lot is bigger!
😡 Remember building coverage controls: On a 292 m² lot, you can only legally build 175 m² (60% coverage) but you pay stormwater charges as if you built 292 m²! You’re paying for 117 m² more than you are consented to build!
🎯 Smart strategy:
• Section under 292 m²? Build any size you want (up to the 60% limit)
• Section 292 m² or bigger? Build to maximum legal coverage (175 m² on 292 m² section)
• Never build small on big sections – you’ll pay for coverage you can’t even legally build!
💡 Key lessons:
✅ Persistence pays off
✅ Collective action works
✅ Transparency forces accountability
✅ Knowledge is power – understand your development contributions so you can optimise sizing
🤝 Thank you to everyone who supported this campaign. When we work together, we can create positive change that benefits the entire development community.
