File ref: IRC-1468
Date 27 April 2021
Adam Irish
Email:
[FYI request #14891 email]
Kia Ora Adam
Infrastructure and subdivision development for housing
Thank you for your request made under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987
(the Act), received on 9 March 2021. You requested the fol owing information:
1. What number of new subdivisions have been granted resource consent in the Wellington City
region each year over 6 years.
2. What are the numbers of new subdivisions planned or in the consenting process for the next 5
years.
3. What level of spending has gone into new subdivision infrastructure by the council each year over
the last 6 years. What level is planned for the next 5 years.
4. Has the council formed any strategies to help the building and development for housing for first
home buyers in the wel ington region and in particular Wel ington City. If so what are these plans.
Below are the documents that fal in scope of your request and my decision to release the document.
Item Document name/description
Decision
1
Subdivisions consents since 2015
Released in full
The response to each of your questions are outlined below.
1. What number of new subdivisions have been granted resource consent in the Wel ington City
region each year over 6 years?
This information can be found in Item 1. This is a list of al subdivision consents issued from 2015 to the end
of February 2021.
2. What are the numbers of new subdivisions planned or in the consenting process for the next 5
years?
The Council has no way of knowing how many subdivisions are planned in the future. Council is notified of a
plan to subdivide only when a consent is applied for. Therefore, we are refusing this part of your request
under section 17(e) of the Act that the information does not exist.
3. What level of spending has gone into new subdivision infrastructure by the Council each year over
the last 6 years? What level is planned for the next 5 years?
The Council Transport team do not spend money for roading in new sub-divisions. It is the responsibility of
the developers to build new roads and vest to WCC. The Transport consents team ensure the vested roads
are up to Council standards to avoid high maintenance costs.
4. Has the council formed any strategies to help the building and development for housing for first
home buyers in the Wel ington region and in particular Wel ington City? If so, what are these
plans?
The Council adopted the Wel ington Housing Strategy in June 2018. The Strategy guides Council decisions
that relate to housing across the housing continuum i.e. from emergency and social housing through to
private rental and ownership. Council has a role to play at all ends of this continuum and this is reflected in
the Strategy.
The Strategy is put into effect by an Action Plan. The current Housing Action Plan 2020-22 (the Plan) was
adopted in March 2020. A summary of what the Plan includes, with specific attention to the question
regarding housing development is provided below. For more on the Housing Strategy and Action Plan head
to Council’s websit
e https://wel ington.govt.nz/your-council/plans-policies-and-bylaws/policies/housing-
strategy
The Action Plan includes:
Planning for Growth – This programme will shape the way we live, for decades. It encompasses the Spatial
Plan which is a ‘blueprint’ for our city that sets out where and how we should grow and develop over the
next 30 years. The final Spatial Plan is expected to be adopted later this year and provides the direction for
the review of the District Plan, the ‘rulebook’ for land development.
The Planning for Growth work will make more land available for housing development at greater densities.
Enabling more supply of housing is a key driver for this programme of work and for meeting our Housing
Strategy vision of ‘all Wellingtonians well-housed’.
In addition, Wel ington City Council has been involved with and endorsed the Wel ington Regional Growth
Framework. Consultation on this regional spatial plan is running now until the 10th of May, you can find
more her
e https://wrgf.co.nz/have-your-say/
One-stop-shop consenting improvements – a series of improvements to our consenting process is
underway. This programme supports growth in supply of houses in the private market by improving the
ease and efficiency of the consenting processes.
Proactive Development – this programme focuses on being prepared and open to maximising opportunities
with partners for greater provision of housing supply. It includes the Te Kāinga affordable rental
programme, redevelopments of City Housing sites – some of these sites may be used for mixed-use
development i.e. provision of housing for a mix of social, affordable, and private market housing.
We continue to be open to working with partners and exploring how we can do more to provide affordable
housing outcomes for the city.
Homelessness action plan and City Housing – these two priorities set out how Council supports those who
are unable to access housing through the private market.
Right of review
If you are not satisfied with the Council’s response, you may request the Office of the Ombudsman to
investigate the Council’s decision. Further information is available on the Ombudsman website,
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
Thank you again for your request, if you have any question please feel free to contact me.
Kind regards
Wellington City Council | 2 of 3
Jessica Hall
Assurance Advisor
Wellington City Council | 3 of 3
