Projects

• Genuine Progress Index
• Broadband
• Open Spaces
• Industrial Land
• Urban Design
• Subdivision Design Guides
• Centres
• Intensification
• Rural Residential Development

There is a need to encourage medium and higher density housing close to the Wellington CBD, sub-regional centres and transport links.

Residential intensification around nodes supports the viability of centres through increased economic, civic and entertainment activity; increased local employment; increased passenger transport use and reduced pressure for infill housing and growth on the periphery. However, it’s important to manage areas of infill carefully to protect the character of low-density suburbs.

WHO’S INVOLVED? 

The project was led by Wellington City Council.

WHAT’S HAPPENED?

A stocktake was undertaken to identify the strategic context within councils for intensification across the region, identifying any variations in planning and policy provisions (statutory and non-statutory), and determining whether any research has been undertaken in these three areas. Their fit with WRS principles was also analysed.

An information-sharing forum was held with the Senior Officers Resource Team (SORT) on 2 June 2009 to identify trends, recognise and share examples of good practice, and determine whether there are any key recommendations that have emerged from the projects.

A report on the information sharing assessment of approaches to residential intensification within the Wellington region was tabled with the Chief Executives Group in April 2010.

Key recommendations from the report include:

• Investigate the potential for regional collaboration in the development and delivery of implementation tools to facilitate and ensure quality higher density residential development;
• Utilise the WRS website for the sharing of information around intensification;
• Establish a working group of senior staff working primarily on District Plan matters, to meet and discuss common approaches and issues at least once every 6 months.

The District Plan Review Group was established in June 2010 to share information on best practice on intensification and other matters including possible changes to District Plans.

FORWARD WORK PLAN

The District Plan Review Group is to share information on best practice on intensification and other matters, and any changes to District Plans. The stocktake will be reviewed in 2011.