Govt's law change threat on Auckland housing not a good move - Brown
Auckland Mayor Len Brown is not impressed by the government's plan to legislate change if there is no agreement on housing with Auckland or any other local authority.
Auckland Mayor Len Brown is not impressed by the government’s plan to legislate change if there is no agreement on housing with Auckland or any other local authority.
“I do not think that’s a good move,” Mr Brown told TVNZ’s Q+A programme today.
The proposed Auckland Housing Accord was about “central and local government working closely together” to address affordability and availability of housing, and speeding up construction.
“This is the way we should go forward,” he said.
Mr Brown also did not rule out delaying the notification of the city’s Unitary Plan until after the local body elections.
“We will make some judgement calls as to whether or not we believe the draft plan is in fact ready for notification,” he said, not because it would be better for his election chances, but because “I genuinely want to ensure that this plan is in place and in a good space with our community and we’ve got as many of our community on board as possible.”
In the meantime, the Council is reviewing feedback over the next couple of months, and will make some changes made to proposed height limits, particularly in coastal towns.
“My leadership will be that we need to moderate some of our positions,” he said. “But not to compromise the over-arching desire for us to build a little up and a little out.”
NBR staff
Sun, 02 Jun 2013
Sun, 02 Jun 2013
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Govt's law change threat on Auckland housing not a good move - Brown
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