31 Jan 2013

Tension between Auckland Council and Government

8:33 am on 31 January 2013

Signs of tension are emerging between the Auckland Council and the Government, with major decisions this year affecting how the region will develop.

The Government has been repeating warnings that it will take a bigger role if councils don't make it quicker and cheaper for developers to build housing.

It remains unconvinced the Auckland Council has zoned enough land for housing, saying the lack could be pushing up house prices.

Tension also surrounds the Government's refusal so far to allow Auckland's development blueprint, the Unitary Plan, to take immediate effect later this year.

The council says the Government's refusal to reinstate that ability, which was removed in 2009, could delay urgently needed planning changes by up to four years.

The Government is also working on local government and resource management reforms; the detailed impact on Auckland and other councils is unknown.