Letter from the Character Coalition congratulating Mayor Brown on his advocacy for Auckland resulting in an extension of one year regarding the ongoing Plan Change 78 process.

Mayor Wayne Brown                                                                                         

Dear Wayne,

I am writing to thank you personally for your continuing advocacy for Auckland, particularly regarding the ongoing Plan Change 78 process.

As you said last week, the Minister’s decision to agree to Council’s request for another year’s extension to the timeframe for completing this process is a win for your Auckland deal and for Auckland.

You quite rightly commented that otherwise Council and  community organisations, such as ours would have had to commit huge resources to a costly and unnecessary series of hearings about a ridiculous and needless plan change. We and our member groups were becoming concerned about how we would fund this, and are relieved we will now not have to do so.

We also appreciate your ongoing advocacy for the Government to deliver on its election promise to make the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) optional for Council, and your indication that Council will opt out of them once you are given that opportunity.

As you know, the MDRS are not only unnecessary, they are the opposite of Council’s concept of a compact urban city. They are resulting in ugly structures arising randomly and sporadically throughout Auckland’s suburbs, often in places which are not served by adequate public transport or other infrastructure. They are destroying the amenity of those who have to live near them, and those who have to live in them as well.

We agree with you that Auckland knows best how to plan for our city, and should be left to decide how to do this without being subjected to dictates from Central Government. We believe the best way for Government to this would be for it simply to repeal the 2021 Resource Management Amendment Act, and return to the Unitary Plan, which reached a position that Aucklanders could live with, and which was working well until the last Government chose to over-ride it.

However, we think there is still work to be done, especially when it comes to preserving and maintaining our cities dwindling stock of heritage buildings, places and areas. Both the St James Theatre and Carlile House in Grey Lynn are important heritage buildings which have been left empty for a number of years and continue to deteriorate. We would urge Council to take action  now to ensure these important buildings are properly restored and maintained for future generations of Aucklanders to enjoy.

We look forward to continuing to work with you and Council on these issues.

Kind Regards, Sally Hughes, Chair, Character Coalition Inc.