Before the Auckland Unitary Plan Independent Hearings Panel
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BEFORE THE AUCKLAND UNITARY PLAN INDEPENDENT HEARINGS PANEL IN THE MATTER of the Resource Management Act 1991 and the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Act 2010 AND IN THE MATTER of TOPIC 081d Rezoning and Precincts (Geographical Areas) AND IN THE MATTER of the submissions and further submissions set out in the Parties and Issues Report STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE OF ERYN JAMES SHIELDS ON BEHALF OF AUCKLAND COUNCIL WEST SUB-REGIONAL OVERVIEW 26 JANUARY 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................... 2 PART A – OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND ........................................................................ 3 2. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 3 3. CODE OF CONDUCT ..................................................................................................... 3 4. SCOPE ............................................................................................................................ 3 5. STATUTORY AND POLICY FRAMEWORK ................................................................... 4 6. RELEVANT PLANNING DOCUMENTS .......................................................................... 4 PART B - SUB REGIONAL OVERVIEW ................................................................................ 7 7. DESCRIPTION OF WEST AUCKLAND .......................................................................... 7 8. STRATEGIC OVERVIEW OF INFRASTRUCTURE ........................................................ 9 9. KEY TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS WITHIN WEST AUCKLAND ....................... 11 10. PRECINCTS WITHIN THE WEST ............................................................................. 12 11. SUMMARY APPROACH TO ZONING WITHIN THE WEST AREA ........................... 14 12. OVERVIEW SUBMISSIONS FOR SUB REGION ...................................................... 18 13. CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................... 19 Page 1 1. SUMMARY 1.1 In this evidence I set out an overview of the pattern of zoning and precincts under the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (PAUP) for the western area of the Auckland region. 1.2 I have relied upon the evidence of John Duguid for Topic 080 Rezoning and Precincts (General) (Topic 080) and Topic 081 Rezoning and Precincts (Geographical Areas) (Topic 081) in particular, which sets out the relevant statutory and policy framework, relevant planning documents and a strategic overview of the Council’s approach to zoning and precincts within the PAUP. Mr Duguid highlights priorities from the Auckland Plan for urban Auckland to achieve quality compact urban environments with good design and enduring neighbourhoods, centres and business areas while also meeting the following aspirations: Increasing housing supply and choice Aligning with essential physical and social infrastructure Balancing increased development potential with a reinforced sense of place. 1.3 In essence these priorities and aspirations underpin the proposed zonings and precincts for the West. They also reinforce the established pattern of urban development on the West. This concentrates the West’s most intensive residential and business development opportunities in a growth corridor starting with New Lynn at its eastern end, along Great North Road to Henderson, along Lincoln Road, with Westgate being the northern of the three Metropolitan Centres. A series of Town, Local and Neighbourhood Centres are interspersed between the three Metropolitan Centres. The North Western Motorway is an important transport corridor that links the West to central Auckland, and provides ready access the various centres. The North Auckland Rail line links a series of town centres from New Lynn to Swanson, with suburban stations serving residential hinterlands. These two transport links have shaped the nature and extent of urban growth in the West. The West is also bounded by the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, and the Waitakere Ranges forms the forested and rural western backdrop to Auckland. 1.4 Infrastructure provision, particularly multi-modal transport initiatives (such as the public transport nodes at Henderson and New Lynn), combined with private and public development opportunities at New Lynn, Westgate and in the Hobsonville Corridor further support the spatial pattern of the zoning in the West. Page 2 1.5 Beyond the central growth corridors of the North Western Motorway, Great North Road and the North Auckland Rail Line and the Metropolitan Centres of New Lynn, Henderson and Westgate, the development capacity provided through the zoning and precinct pattern is more conservative. This is due to a combination of historic centres (such as Glen Eden) and industrial areas that, while have been established last century are now poorly located in the context of the modern Auckland and are now served by a less efficient road network with reduced access to public transport via the rapid and frequent service network (RFN). Consequently there are edge areas that have a lower housing density, and legacy zoning for industry and local centres. PART A – OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND 2. INTRODUCTION 2.1 My full name is Eryn James Shields. I hold the position of Team Leader Planning North and West at Auckland Council (Council). My qualifications and experience are provided in Attachment A. 2.2 The purpose of this evidence is to set out a sub-regional overview of the approach to zoning and precincts within the Western area of the Auckland region. 3. CODE OF CONDUCT 3.1 I confirm that I have read the Code of Conduct for Expert Witnesses contained in the Environment Court Practice Note 2014 and that I agree to comply with it. I confirm that I have considered all the material facts that I am aware of that might alter or detract from the opinions that I express, and that this evidence is within my area of expertise, except where I state that I am relying on the evidence of another person. 4. SCOPE 4.1 In this evidence I provide a brief description of the Western topic area, an overview of the area’s infrastructure and particular development opportunities and constraints, significant transformational projects and an overview of the Proposed Auckland PAUP rezoning and precinct approach. 4.2 In preparing this statement of evidence I have relied upon the evidence of John Duguid for Topic 080 and 081, which sets out a strategic overview of the Council’s Page 3 approach to zoning and precincts within the PAUP. I have also referred to the following statements of evidence where relevant: Alastair Cribbens, Steve Wrenn and Liam Winter (Auckland Transport) Mark Bourne (Watercare Services Limited) David Mead – Zoning and Natural Hazards Deborah Rowe (Pre-1944 Overlay Zoning Principles) Lisa Mein (Historic Character Overlay Zoning Principles) Peter Reaburn (Volcanic Viewshafts and Height Sensitive Areas). 4.3 In addition I have relied on the AT witnesses’ sub-regional overview joint statement of evidence for Topic 081 about major transport projects and public transport initiatives in specific areas. 5. STATUTORY AND POLICY FRAMEWORK 5.1 The statutory framework is detailed in the zoning and precinct evidence of John Duguid, dated 3 December 2015, and has not been repeated here. 6. RELEVANT PLANNING DOCUMENTS 6.1 The evidence of John Duguid makes specific reference to the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 (NZCPS), the Auckland Plan and the Regional Policy Statement (RPS). 6.2 In terms of the NZCPS, Mr Duguid’s evidence notes the provisions that are of particular relevance for zoning. The provisions are not repeated here. However, they have particular relevance for the West, which has an extensive coastline that covers a range of marine environments. These environments include the inner Waitemata Harbour in the vicinity of Te Atatu Peninsula and Hobsonville Point, the Manukau coastline from Green Bay to Whatipu and the Tasman Sea coastline from Whatipu to Bethells / Te Henga. Many of the residential areas along the inner Waitemata Harbour are orientated to the coast. Along the Manukau Harbour and Tasman Sea, numerous beaches are a significant recreational asset that attract day visitors from across Auckland. Page 4 6.3 Mr Duguid’s evidence also refers to the Auckland Plan and its role in setting out the overall vision for Auckland to become the world’s most liveable city. The evidence notes Section D of the Auckland Plan as being of particular relevance to zoning as it sets out a development strategy for Auckland 2040, the key element of which is moving to a more compact quality form. At paragraph 5.15 of his evidence Mr Duguid lists the following three priorities for urban Auckland from Strategic Direction 10 of the Auckland Plan: (a) Realise quality compact urban environments (b) Demand good design in all development (c) Create enduring neighbourhoods, centres and business areas. 6.4 These priorities underpin the zones proposed in the PAUP for the West urban areas. In particular the zones are aimed at helping to achieve the aspirations sought in Chapters 11, 12, 4 and 7 as listed in paragraphs 5.18 – 5.20 in Mr Duguid’s evidence, which in broad terms are: Increasing housing supply and choice Aligning growth with essential physical and social infrastructure Balancing increased development potential with a reinforced sense of place. 6.5 At paragraph 5.16 of his evidence,