Council Planning Reform on the Horizon?
👀👷🏻♀️Council Planning Reform on the Horizon?
Sunday morning reading (same as every day) and I have read an interesting Newsroom article about the challenges we’ve all been experiencing with council planners.
Williams Corporation just shared a painful story about losing $8 million in sales when Auckland Council forced them to replace carparks with lawn areas in Mount Albert. All their pre-sold homes had buyers walk away when the carparks disappeared. We’ve probably all felt this frustration when a single planner’s “arbitrary opinion” derails a viable project.
The inconsistency is driving everyone mad. In Christchurch, developers had three different planners give contradicting instructions about which way doors should face – one wanted them facing each other, another wanted them clustered, and a third wanted them offset. One developer joked about installing two front doors per house just to keep everyone happy!
Tauranga apparently gets the award for worst delays. Not surprising to those of us who’ve worked there.
The good news? Housing Minister Chris Bishop seems to be listening. He’s pushing for standardized zoning rules as part of the RMA reforms. He called the current situation “utterly out of control” – which feels spot on when councils are scrutinizing everything down to whether residents can see their TVs from their couches or decides for us who can lift what rubbish bin lid (yes, one of my developments).
Auckland Council’s planning boss John Duguid defended their approach, saying Aucklanders wanted good design standards for intensification. He claims most proposals go through with minor or no changes, but we all know that’s not always the case.
The inconsistency between councils is challenging – different building heights, different outdoor space requirements, and wildly variable site coverage rules across the country. No wonder even large developers stick to areas they know. It is too hard to move about.
This aligns with what we’ve been talking about in our WhatsApp groups. Let’s keep documenting these issues – it seems the government is finally paying attention to the challenges we’re facing.
Original is by Johnathan Milne | Newsroom (no paywall!).
