Council tries to limit intensification in Beachlands

• By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter
  Funded by New Zealand on Air

In an eleventh-hour change to intensification plans, Auckland Council is attempting to limit intensification in Beachlands.

Under the Government’s Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS), Beachlands was expected to have intensification enabled because of it’s population over 5,000.

The MDRS would enable three storeys and three dwellings to be built per site.

At the planning committee meeting on August 4, members voted to make Beachlands Infrastructure Controls a qualifying matter.

Plans and Places general manager John Duguid said Beachlands had crept into intensification plans with a population of 6,000 but should be protected because of its “unique” situation.

“Auckland Transport has said improving the frequency of bus services to Beachlands is unlikely to be economically viable,” Duguid said.

“There are road safety issues and the works are very expensive.”

“There is very little existing or planned employment opportunities and no secondary school in Beachlands.”

Duguid said it would be challenging to shift people from private vehicles to public transportation for the area.

Deputy mayor Bill Cashmore asked Duguid what would happen to other settlements when their populations exceeded the 5,000 mark.

Duguid responded that once settlement populations tipped over 5,000, the MDRS would apply.

Maraetai, Clevedon, Kawakawa Bay and Whitford are among the areas that currently do not meet the population requirements under the MDRS.

The MDRS comes into effect from August 18 for locations that do not have a qualifying matter and meet the criteria.