Number of high rises near new Auckland train station could be slashed

The number of properties near the new Maungawhau Station in Mount Eden that could be developed up to 15 storeys is likely to drop because there are fewer entrances to the station than Auckland Council planned for.

Auckland Council general manager of planning John Duguid told Checkpoint that proposed planning limits around the station outlined in the initial proposal for Plan Change 120 were based on there being three entrances.

However, there is only one main entrance to the station, and the others are emergency exits, Duguid said.

“We based it on three entrances, at that time we believed that that was the correct approach and we now realise that to be consistent we’d use the single main entrance point, and we wouldn’t include the emergency exits.”

Duguid said Auckland Council measures walkable catchments around train stations from pedestrian entrances.

“As the new Maungawhau Station has fewer entrances than the old one, it could mean fewer properties are within the 15-storey walkable catchment to the southern and eastern ends of the station.”

He said around 150 properties could be impacted.

“Government direction remains that 15 storeys must be enabled within the Maungawhau walkable catchment, so proposed plans must still meet this.”

However, the actual size of walkable catchments was yet to be set, he said.

“The whole issue around how wide a walkable catchment should be and whether these 150 properties should be included or excluded is actually still a very live issue that will be heard by a panel later this year.”

Duguid said the council’s planning committee will consider the issue next week where it will set the parameters for the next version of Plan Change 120.

The council is currently considering 10,000 submissions made on the first iteration of the planning changes, and Aucklanders will also be able to submit on the next version, Duguid said.

“Aucklanders will have the opportunity to make submissions on all Plan Change 120 proposals later this year. If you’ve already made a submission, this will be considered by the independent Plan Change 120 panel. Final decisions will be made once the hearings end next year, and the panel makes its recommendations on Plan Change 120.”