Obstructive community groups criticised

The organisation has criticised those it says are putting in jeopardy Auckland’s status as the country’s principal city.

It pointed to Statistics NZ’s prediction that Auckland will be home to two million people by 2031, accounting for 61% of the country’s population growth.

“The repercussions of failing to house this population adequately will have disastrous consequences with new communities having to be forced out into rural areas and possibly environmentally significant habitats.”

Property Council chief executive Connal Townsend said for Auckland to retain and increase its economic vibrancy, it must be able to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs and offer desirable lifestyle choices.

“Pushing people out on to rural boundaries away from commercial centres in the name of avoiding high rises is not rational. With people, jobs and economic activity go as well, taking vibrancy and desirability.  The Auckland Proposed Unitary Plan (PAUP) must not be too onerous with its policies and provisions which result in making development an expensive and risky business.”

He said community groups needed to think more broadly than just about protecting their own interests.