Cabinet looks at draft Auckland plan

Mayor Len Brown has had the first formal meeting with the Government about his 30-year draft plan for creating one of the world's most liveable cities. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has had the first formal meeting with the Government about his 30-year draft plan for creating one of the world's most liveable cities.

Yesterday's meeting comes a fortnight before a preview of the draft Auckland Plan at an Aotea Centre summit to which international experts and leading thinkers are invited.

Since October, council staff have been knitting together the many strands of a bold plan to spur sustainable economic growth.

Mr Brown is keeping the content confidential because it is still at the discussion stage and the Government has not had its say.

Last week Finance Minister Bill English indicated some of Auckland's big transport projects faced delay or cancellation as resources were diverted to Christchurch.

Local Government Minister Rodney Hide later said Christchurch's need might raise timing issues.

"But it is early days yet. Everyone recognises a successful Auckland is essential to the success of the rest of the country, including Christchurch, so you can't just put Auckland on hold."

A mayoral spokesman said yesterday's meeting went well.

"Both parties acknowledged the situation in Christchurch and its importance but at the same time acknowledged growth pressures in Auckland and the need to step up to the plate economically."

Talks focused on housing shortages and affordability, population growth, transport infrastructure and ways to pay for it.

"The mayor made it clear Auckland was aware it needed to contribute significantly and a lot of work is being done on funding models."

Mr Brown asked councillors to respect his wish to lay out "my vision" at the March 23 summit.

Many things have yet to be discussed before the draft document is finished in June and goes out for public comment.

Much of the interest in the plan is focused on the maps in the document.

These suggest areas where development might take place to house a predicted population growth of 10,000 a year.

Big money rides on whether more homes will be built within urban limits or on newly-developed "greenfield sites" outside the city limits.

Mr Brown favours a "quality compact city" rather than a spread-out one and council officials are talking to the Government about his three big rail projects in the plan - the $2 billion downtown loop, a link to the international airport and a Waitemata Harbour crossing.

The draft Auckland Plan brings together planning for land use, infrastructure, parks, conservation areas, heritage and social services as well as housing and economic growth.

It will be explained with the help of three-dimensional images of how Auckland might look in 30 years.