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 081e 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 JOAO MACHADO & PAULINA WYTHES ON BEHALF OF AUCKLAND COUNCIL CENTRAL AUCKLAND – SUB-REGIONAL OVERVIEW 26 JANUARY 2016 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 4 PART A – OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND ....................................................................... 6 2. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 6 3. CODE OF CONDUCT .................................................................................................... 6 4. SCOPE .......................................................................................................................... 6 5. STATUTORY AND POLICY FRAMEWORK ................................................................... 7 6. RELEVANT PLANNING DOCUMENTS ......................................................................... 8 PART B - SUB REGIONAL OVERVIEW ............................................................................. 13 7. DESCRIPTION OF CENTRAL AREA ........................................................................... 15 8. STRATEGIC OVERVIEW OF INFRASTRUCTURE ..................................................... 19 9. KEY TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS WITHIN THE CENTRAL AREA .................. 21 10. PRECINCTS WITHIN THE CENTRAL AREA ............................................................. 28 11. SUMMARY APPROACH TO ZONING WITHIN THE CENTRAL AREA ...................... 32 12. OVERVIEW SUBMISSIONS FOR SUB REGION ....................................................... 37 13. CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................... 37 3 GLOSSARY OF TERMS Full Term Abbreviation Business Park BP City Centre CC Countryside Living CL Future Urban FU General Business GB Heavy Industry HI Height Sensitive Areas HSA Historic Character HC Large Lot LL Light Industry LI Local Centre LC Metropolitan Centre MC Mixed Housing Suburban MHS Mixed Housing Urban MHU Mixed Rural MR Mixed Use MU National Grid Corridor NGC Neighbourhood Centre NC Outstanding Natural Feature ONF Outstanding Natural Landscape ONL Pre-1944 Building Demolition Control Pre-1944 BDC Public Open Space POS Rapid and/or frequent service network RFN Rural and Coastal Settlement RCS Rural Coastal RC Rural Conservation RCon Rural Production RP Rural Urban Boundary RUB Significant Ecological Areas SEA Single House SH Special Purpose SP Strategic Transport Corridor STC Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings THAB Town Centre TC Volcanic View shafts VV 4 1. SUMMARY 1.1 The purpose of this Evidence Report (Report) is to set out a sub-regional overview of the approach to zoning and precincts within the Central area of the Auckland region with respect to the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (PAUP) Topic 081e Rezoning and Precincts General (Topic 081). 1.2 The sub-region of Central Auckland (Central area) covers an area of 15,214 hectares, encompassing the Auckland Isthmus area under the former Auckland City Council boundaries and includes the Albert-Eden, Maungakiekie-Tāmaki, Orākei, Puketāpapa Local Board areas. The area also includes the southern portion of Waitematā Local Board Area, western portion of the Whau Local Board area and northern part of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board area. In summary, the area extends from Avondale to Point England (west to east) and Herne Bay to Hillsborough (north to south). 1.3 We have relied primarily on the evidence of Mr John Duguid for Topic 080 Rezoning and Precincts (General) (Topic 080) and Topic 081, which sets out the relevant statutory framework and strategic overview of Council’s approach to zoning and precincts in the PAUP. 1.4 The proposed zonings and precincts in the Central area have been applied to: (a) Achieve the priorities of the Auckland Plan for urban Auckland. This includes achieving a quality compact urban environment that contains good design in all developments and creates enduring neighbourhoods, centres and business areas; (b) Give effect to the provisions of the RPS, as a whole, and specifically to provide growth in a quality compact form supported by adequate infrastructure and efficient transport whilst also addressing historic heritage and character areas, natural character and natural hazards. 1.5 Future growth in the Central area has and will continue to be influenced and shaped by a number of local factors including: (a) Limited growth in heritage areas and around Auckland’s key volcanic cones (b) Continued focus of intensification of areas around the existing infrastructure networks 5 (c) Proximity to the city centre and other key employment areas comprising heavy and light industrial activities such as Penrose, Mt Wellington and Rosebank. 1.6 The Central area’s location in the greater Auckland region, its proximity to the City Centre and major employment areas, open space, and high frequency public transport, as well as the high standard of amenity found in many of the suburbs has made it a popular area to live. This has translated into additional demand for housing and a variety of housing types in the Central area. 1.7 The focus of further intensification in Auckland needs to be prioritised. In comparison to other parts of Auckland, we consider the features of the Central area provide an ideal opportunity for delivering the vision of the Auckland Plan and giving effect to the Regional Policy Statement, particularly the directive for a compact city approach. 1.8 In the Central area, there have been 8258 submission points received on rezoning requests. These are broken down into the sub-areas as follows: (a) Western Isthmus – 2457; (b) Eastern Isthmus – 3985; (c) Southern Isthmus – 967; and (d) City Centre Fringe – 849. 1.9 These are further summarised in Attachment D of this Report. 1.10 We consider the proposed zonings and precincts in the Central area reinforce existing settlement patterns which concentrates more intensive residential and business development around centres and along key public transport routes (rapid and frequent service network). 1.11 The notified PAUP contains 18 precincts in the Central area and submissions to the PAUP seek an additional 27 new precincts sought by submitters within the Central area which were allocated to Topic 081. Of these 27 new precincts sought through submissions, 10 have passed the merit assessment review and have been more substantively assessed through statements of evidence filed in the Topic 081e group. It is noted there are other precincts in the Central area that were allocated to Topic 080 – Rezoning and Precincts (General) relating to retirement villages, tertiary institutions, marinas and coastal areas. Of the precincts in the Topic 081e group, we 6 overall propose retaining 15 of the 18 existing precincts included in the notified PAUP, and progressing 1 of the 27 (i.e. of the 10 which have passed merit assessment) precincts sought by submitters. These are outlined further in section 10 of this Report. PART A – OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND 2. INTRODUCTION 2.1 This report has been prepared by Joao Alberto Machado and Paulina Yui-Wai Wythes. We both hold the position of Team Leader, Central and Islands Planning at Auckland Council. A summary of our qualifications and experience is 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 Central area of the Auckland region. Map 1 in Attachment B shows the extent of the Central area addressed in this report. We note that zoning for the City Centre, shown in the attached maps as ‘C1’, has been addressed through Topic 050 – City Centre. 3. CODE OF CONDUCT 3.1 We confirm that we have read the Code of Conduct for Expert Witnesses contained in the Environment Court Practice Note 2014 and that we agree to comply with it. We confirm that we have considered all the material facts that we are aware of that might alter or detract from the opinions that we express, and that this evidence is within our area of expertise, except where we state that we are relying on the evidence of another person. 4. SCOPE 4.1 The purpose of this evidence is to set out a sub-regional overview of the approach to zoning and precincts within the Central area of the Auckland region. In particular, the scope of this report is to address the following matters: (a) the relevant statutory framework; (b) a description of the Central area; (c) an overview of the infrastructure in the Central area including existing and proposed infrastructure investment; 7 (d) key transformational projects in the Central area; and (e) an overview of the PAUP approach to precincts and zoning in the Central area, including an overview of submissions in the sub-region. 4.2 In preparing this statement of evidence, we have relied upon the two statements of evidence filed by John Duguid, dated 3 December 2015, for Topic 080 and Topic 081 which set out the strategic overview of the Council’s approach to zoning and precincts within the PAUP. In particular we refer to and rely on the evidence in chief