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Resolution
number WTM/2025/67
MOVED by Member A
Bonham, seconded by Member R Northey:
That
the Waitematā Local Board:
a)
tuku / provide the following views on
the draft Contributions Policy 2025 for inclusion in the Governing Body
decision report on 1 May 2025.
i)
In answer to question
one. The local board view is other Our reasons being:
A)
we support the aims
of the development contributions policy so that they:
1)
are fair between
new and existing ratepayers
2)
ensure greater cost
recovery to support new development with the range of physical and social
infrastructure desired,
3)
are desirable to
keep general rates rises down. But
B)
we are concerned
that there may be unintended consequences, namely:
1)
making it more
expensive to build housing in selected existing urban areas might incentivise
development in other areas with insufficient infrastructure.
2)
may discourage
affordable housing being built in the targeted areas
3)
suggests
insufficient contributions will be collected in other areas.
4)
may be perceived as
unfair, particularly in Tamaki, which has a history of displacement.
C)
We Support
gathering contributions for projects beyond the 10-year horizon of the
current LTP and urge this policy be implemented across all of Auckland.
D)
We Support the
changes for the Drury area.
E)
We Support the
other proposed changes.
F)
Consideration of a
simpler system involving differential prices that is close to and
proportionate to the cost of growth that incentivises development in any area
with existing or planned and funded water, transport and social
infrastructure – and disincentivises out of sequence greenfield
development.
G)
Using contribution
policy to align with the Future Development Strategy and incentivise good
urban outcomes, in density, amenity, functionality, climate resilience,
social cohesion and ongoing costs.
H)
Reconsider
prioritisation of focus areas so as to better enable compact city approach
using the transport infrastructure that we already have.
I)
In order to
incentivise the construction of affordable housing and to reduce the risk of
displacement of communities, we recommend Auckland Council providing a per
unit discount (so contributions in the focus areas are no more than the
default Auckland rate for existing urban areas) for developments that have
four habitable storeys or more as long as they are sited and landscaped so
they are at low risk from floods.
J)
Master planning for
areas identified for growth to deliver positive urban outcomes, perhaps using
form codes to ensure sufficient permeable surface and provision of outdoor
space, parks, pools, transport, water management, flood resilience etc that
new home owners will value. This would make the extra contributions
worthwhile.
K)
Continuing the
practice of allowing deductions to contributions where developers pay in
kind, as long as these proposals align with high level planning, are
supported by council and sufficient standards are met. If developers can
deliver infrastructure themselves that address stormwater management,
resilience, active transport needs, third spaces etc this may mean greater
benefits sooner and at a better price for residents and ratepayers.
L)
Recommend costing
in sufficient oversight of any ‘in kind’ contributions to
mitigate risk of costs to council in remediating poor work, particularly with
regard stormwater, footpaths and playgrounds.
M)
That the vast
majority of development contributions are spent in the area where they are
collected, unless that area has already, and disproportionately, benefited
from regional programmes funded by general rates, in which case the
proportion spent locally may be less.
CARRIED
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