Wellingtonians support housing intensification in central city
Tuesday, 16 February 2021
Wellingtonians have voiced their support for housing densification plans proposed for the central city, but are less keen on seeing medium and high-density housing in the inner and outer suburbs, according to a new report.
The controversial housing plans are Wellington City Council’s blueprint for squeezing in tens of thousands of extra residents across the city over the next 30 years, in response to an estimated shortfall of about 12,000 homes.
The plans involve allowing taller building heights in many parts of the city to enable developers to construct multi-level mixed-use and apartment buildings.
A summary of feedback from almost 3000 people found 57 per cent of respondents supported the proposals for the central city, which include introducing minimum six-storey building heights.
**READ MORE:
* How high is too high for Wellington?
* Wellington City councillor calls out property-owning 'NIMBY' colleagues
**
Buildings at least 10 storeys high would be permitted in Te Aro, while up to eight storeys would be allowed along central city boundaries located on the edges of Thorndon, Aro Valley, Mt Cook, and Mt Victoria.
The plans are also a response to new central government rules announced last year, requiring councils to provide as much development as possible in urban areas.
Wellington City councillor Rebecca Matthews, who holds the council’s community engagement portfolio, said the council should not “pretend that intensification is optional”.
“We also shouldn't pretend we can improve housing supply and affordability without up-zoning all over Wellington,” Matthews said.
“Homeowners can't expect the status quo to continue. Wellington has to change.”
The survey found 32 per cent of respondents strongly agreed with the plans for the central city, while 25 per cent agreed. Of those who opposed the plans, 19 per cent strongly disagreed and 13 per cent disagreed. Another 11 per cent were neutral or not sure.
However, there was less support for densification plans for the city’s inner and outer suburbs.
Fewer than half of the respondents (45 per cent) agreed with proposed building height allowances for inner-city suburbs, with 34 per cent strongly disagreeing and another 12 per cent disagreeing.
Inner-city suburbs include Berhampore, Newtown, Oriental Bay, and Highbury, as well as the parts of Thorndon, Aro Valley, Mt Cook, and Mt Victoria that are not on the central city boundary.
There has been much controversy over plans to remove demolition controls for many of the 5500 pre-1930s buildings in these areas, with many arguing it would damage Wellington’s heritage and character.
The plan designates several character “sub-areas” in which the controls would remain.
There was almost an even split among respondents about allowing medium and high-density buildings in the outer suburbs, with 41 per cent opposed and 44 per cent in favour.
However, there was general concern among respondents about the ability for Wellington’s infrastructure to cope with the projected growth.
Water and transport infrastructure were struggling to cope with existing demand, and upgrades needed to occur before the city could think about welcoming new residents, they said.
Wellington Mayor Andy Foster said the feedback results were not surprising, with most people aware of the need to create more homes.
He understood the concerns about the city losing some of its heritage value.
“We know people really value the character in those inner suburbs, in particular. They are an enormous part of our city and what we do there, we need to do very sensitively.”
Up to 80,000 extra people are expected to move to Wellington by 2047.
Public feedback on the draft plan was open between August 10 and October 5, with 2897 people taking part.
The proposals will go out for public feedback again later in the year as part of the council’s proposed District Plan consultation, with changes finalised by August next year.