New protections for Auckland's natural icons in place

Changes to the District Plan (Residential 3 zone) passed last week will provide future protection for six of Auckland city's natural icons.

The new rules aim to preserve the natural landscape and special character of neighbourhoods around parts of the volcanic cones of Maungawhau Mt Eden, Owairaka Mt Albert, Titikopuke Mt St John, Remuwera Mt Hobson and Te Tatua a Riukiuta Three Kings as well as the Glendowie Coastal Cliffs.

Councillor Glenda Fryer says the provisions of the Residential 3 zone needed strengthening to give greater protection to the features.

"Since 1993 we have been able to monitor the type of development and its impact on these significant landforms through the special zoning. We found that the rules were not certain enough to ensure that these landforms remained intact, given the fragility of the environment. We need to ensure that buildings don't stick out like sore thumbs."

She adds that another change was to recognise significant heritage and character homes built before 1940, and to introduce new controls to protect them from demolition. The new rules match those for Residential 1 and 2 zones, which include parts of Ponsonby, Mt Eden and Epsom.

Councillor Fryer, who chaired the hearings panel, says the new rules carefully balance the rights of property owners with the need to afford greater protection to the unique landforms that characterise the city.

"We have heard submissions and taken into account the important matters provided by them in making the changes to the recommendations. These include a reduced emphasis on assessment of building alterations not visible from the street, and less likely to feature original historical detail, as well as the requirement to use native plants and trees in the backyard of properties backing onto the mountains."

As well as those listed above, the new rules include:

height limits on new buildings and fences
using pitched roofs
landscaping assessments
building no higher up the slope of a volcanic cone than an existing development.

Copies of the new rules and background information are available on the website, or at Level 11, Civic Administration Building, 1 Greys Ave, Auckland.