An old golf course is one of the latest land blocks to be marked to address Auckland's housing shortage.
The former Papakura Golf Course and a neighbouring property will become Bellfield Special Housing Area which will provide about 350 new houses for Auckland families.
To date 63 Special Housing Areas (SHAs) have been established across the city, as part of a joint project between Auckland Council and the Government to provide more affordable housing.
The SHAs are located in selected urban and rural areas earmarked for urban development, within the Rural Urban Boundary which defines the extent of urban development in Auckland over the next 30 years.
Bellfield is one of a further 17 new SHAs announced today by Housing Minister Nick Smith and Mayor Len Brown.
The extra 17 SHAs are expected to yield more than 8000 houses, Dr Smith said.
Local councillor Calum Penrose says the Bellfield development will have positive effects on the local economy and provide new public amenities that will cater for all ages.
"It's great to see this land being used to inject more people into our area," he says.
"This project will also enable housing development of a type and price point in an area of much demand."
The company behind the Bellfield development, property owner Motleon Ltd, will also make improvements Opaheke Park to benefit the wider community.
Papakura Local Board chairman Bill McEntee says the development will help create a process to decide what community facilities will be provided that are of maximum benefit to the greater community.
Labour's housing spokesman Phil Twyford has criticised today's announcement, saying only 20 building consents have been issued in SHAs to date, and most of those are at Weymouth.
“These are ghost houses, to go with National’s ghost tax cut.
"Families cannot live in ghost houses, they need real affordable homes," he said.
He accuses National of drawing lines on a map and calling them special housing areas. Mr Twyford says Labour would build 10,000 affordable homes under its KiwiBuild policy.
Motleon is planning to hold public open days from 3:30pm to 7:30pm on September 22 and 23 at Rosehill Intermediate School so the community can see what is being planned, ask questions and provide feedback on the development.
The 17 new SHAs have been adopted by Auckland Council but are subject to formal approval by Cabinet and a recommendation to the Governor-General.
It is expected the Order in Council process will be completed to enable resource and building consents for developments to be advanced later this year.
3 News
source: newshub archive
