Auckland has an incredible opportunity.
We can plan for the rise in population, and turn it into prosperity, quality of life and better outcomes for all.
In just the next few years, we can launch a major new Urban Centre, providing jobs, nightlife, recreation and housing, all in a way that meets the expectations of 21st century Aucklanders.
This new City can be based around frequent, fast public transport; it can adopt all the principles of hi-tech, smart, green cities; it can provide the kind of lifestyle choices Aucklanders want without compromising existing communities.
Different approach
This can happen, but we must change our approach to growth.
The Auckland Council has managed growth so poorly that residents now view a growing population as a huge burden.
And why wouldn’t they? The Council is trying to squeeze additional houses into suburbs, never designed for such levels of density.
As a direct result, there is an imminent threat to established communities and character neighbourhoods, as well as significant projected increases in congestion, overcrowding in schools and a compromised standard of living for everyone.
Local opposition to housing development has constrained the delivery of new houses, pushing housing affordability beyond the range of many families.
High rents and mortgage payments are reducing the money Auckland families have to spend on other activities, like travel, eating out and shopping.
In an international city like Auckland, this means residents have fewer opportunities to see their families, celebrate their culture and take advantage of Auckland’s many opportunities.
New areas
It does not have to be this way. We can move growth out of suburbs designed to be low density and into new areas designed for intensive development. We do not have to change neighbourhoods that have developed over generations.
Shifting the growth to new areas will not only avoid the need for expensive and inefficient retrofitting, it will maximise new investment that we know we have to make anyway.
We can save money and achieve a better outcome for old residents and new.
As Mayor, I will engage Auckland’s many communities and find out how they want their suburbs and neighbourhoods to grow. I will concentrate on plans that provide new housing and jobs.
I will concentrate on a second Central Business District (CBD) that meets the lifestyle needs and expectations of modern Aucklanders and utilises existing infrastructure so that we keep rates down.
John Pilano is an Auckland Mayoral Candidate in the forthcoming local election (October 12, 2013)
