Coalition rises to support Unitary Plan

A powerful new lobby group has been formed to support the Unitary Plan and a massive jump in Auckland housing intensification.

The group of 15 organisations, many with disparate interests have announced this morning they have joined together with the single aim of getting the new Unitary Plan enacted.

The new Coalition for More Homes has seen developers join architects, charities, economic specialists and other lobby groups in an attempt to get action.

Leroy Beckett of Generation Zero has this morning sent out an announcement that the new coalition will hold a 2pm launch today in Ponsonby.

"The Coalition for More Homes launches today calling on Auckland Council to vote to pass the Unitary Plan.

"The coalition is a diverse group of housing stakeholders coming together under one banner to send a clear message that the Auckland Council need to pass the unitary plan for the good of Auckland's future, including Generation Zero, Greater Auckland, Community of Refuge Trust, the Salvation Army, Shamubeel Eaqub, Unitec Institute of Technology, Urban Auckland, The Morgan Foundation, Ockham Residential, Property Council of New Zealand, Habitat for Humanity, Jasmax, Monte Cecilia Housing Trust, Bays Community Housing Trust, Crosson Architects," the statement said.

The coalition said it had written to the council, calling for the plan to be passed.

"Across the board, everyone is forced to spend too much on housing. It doesn't have to be this way. Auckland's culture and quality of life is being threatened by the high cost of housing. There is a growing divide between homeowners and those now locked out of the housing market.

"Unless we do something, we will lose our teachers, our new residents and our young people. Even middle-income families will be forced out, except for those lucky enough to already own their own home. These are just some of the many reasons we need to solve the city's housing crisis.

"The immediate cause of the problem is straightforward: we are not building enough housing to meet the demand. One reason for this is that former council planning rules unduly restrict housing development and a mix of housing types in places where people want to live," the coalition's statement said.

However, Panmure resident Keith Sharp has written an open letter to the council opposing the plan.

The people of Panmure had not been given a fair go, he said and many residents were stunned to see the rezoning proposals.