Development with vision - council's property role

Overview | Statement of proposal | Policy

Unique Auckland

Auckland city is undergoing a transformation, with many new people, new energy and a large number of new developments to cater for these exciting changes.

This city is unique. Auckland City has a vision of an attractive, exciting city, with vibrant local communities and a people-focused, energetic city centre. The council’s‚¿ vision for the CBD is to revitalise Auckland’s‚¿ CBD into one of the world’s‚¿ most vibrant and dynamic business and cultural centres.

Because of the council’s‚¿ concerns that an increasing amount of development in the city is not achieving this vision, in May 2004 it consulted on and subsequently adopted a new policy called Development with Vision.

A stronger role for the council

The council's control over development in the city is limited to its regulatory capacity, eg the district plan, granting resource consents, and the spending decisions it makes about things such as roading and parks.

The council believes it needs to take a more active role to ensure the city achieves development with vision.

The development of an area can involve new businesses, shops, homes, services, open spaces or a mix of uses.

Particularly driving the council's concerns are the quality of design and the amenities being provided for people.

The council is setting up a new enterprise board, which will take the objectives set by the council, and identify opportunities in strategically important areas of the city. It would then guide the development of the land to ensure the council's objectives are met.

The council is not intending to become a property developer.

However, as landowner the council will be able to exercise a greater influence over what gets built in key areas to ensure they are appropriate to their location, well designed and socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.

This new, stronger role would nearly always involve the council working in partnership with the private sector or other organisations.

As part of its proposal to take a more active role in property the council consulted on funding options for this new initiative. These included asset sales, going into debt and income streams from any properties purchased. For more information about the funding options the council consulted on please refer to the original Statement of Proposal.