Are we investing in resilient infrastructure that can withstand the escalating challenges posed by climate change? Iresh Jayawardena argues changing our approach to urbanisation in Auckland is a matter of urgency.
Opinion: On May 4, Auckland councillors made a crucial decision by rejecting a proposal to rezone an area for residential development in north-west Auckland. The rejection was based on valid concerns over flooding, as eight hectares of the proposed land were identified as a floodplain with no access to public transport or provision of future infrastructure. While the decision is commendable, it highlights the call for future developers to re-consider the ‘risks’ posed by natural disasters much more seriously, including other pre-requisites for potential growth such as ‘accessibility’ of public transportation when planning for urban development.
The proposed land at Riverhead, spanning 80.5 hectares, was marked as "future urban" in the Auckland Unitary Plan, indicating anticipated urbanisation to occur between 2028-2032. However, despite the plan change request being rejected, the area will still remain zoned for its current ‘future urban’ zoning, when a portion of the land is clearly prone to flooding.
As the super city experiences rapid population growth and grapples with infrastructure strain, natural hazards, environmental degradation, and the impacts of climate change leading to more extreme weather events, this decision raises questions about the future approach to urbanisation in Auckland, particularly in ensuring sustainable and equitable growth.
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It is often observed that environmental concerns are overshadowed by the demand for housing and supply issues in New Zealand. The approval of urban growth projects far from the city centre without sufficient infrastructure has resulted in extra stressful commuting time in and around Auckland, causing urban sprawl and additional pressure on the limited transportation options.
There is evidence that long-duration commutes contribute to life dissatisfaction, which can lead to increased stress, fatigue, and reduced work-life balance, particularly among the younger workforces. The consequences of neglecting the accessibility of public transportation in urban development go beyond mere inconvenience.
The recent Auckland Anniversary weekend flooding was widespread, and unfortunately resulted in the damaging of 560 properties owned by Kāinga Ora. This statistic is alarming, particularly considering that more than 10,000 properties owned by Kāinga Ora were constructed on flood-prone land. As an organisation committed to fostering wellbeing through the development of communities and living spaces, such decisions by authorities prompt us to question the extent of our dedication to addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
By failing to adequately acknowledge disaster risk, developers can leave communities vulnerable to hazards, property damage, loss of life, and prolonged recovery periods. Furthermore, neglecting the accessibility of public transport has detrimental effects on the overall wellbeing and liveability of an area.
These events also call for a broader reflection on the larger context in which these decisions were made. How well are we integrating the understanding of climate change, its implications, and its urgency into our national and geopolitical agendas? Are we considering the long-term effects of climate change on our built environments and the potential consequences for our communities? Are we adequately prioritising the future and investing in resilient infrastructure that can withstand the escalating challenges posed by climate change?
There is growing concern about the long-term sustainability of the city’s urban development and future land supply strategy.
To ensure sustainable and equitable growth, Auckland Council developed the Future Land Supply Strategy (FULSS) in 2017, which serves as a blueprint for urban development in Auckland. FULSS outlines a strategic sequence for the orderly growth and development of Auckland region. This sequence takes into consideration factors such as infrastructure availability, funding, environmental considerations, population growth, and community needs. The purpose is to ensure that necessary infrastructure, services, and amenities are in place to support new developments.
However, when development occurs ‘out of sequence’, it can lead to challenges and contribute to urban sprawl. This further exacerbates the pressure on existing infrastructure and services and can negatively impact the environment. For example, existing infrastructure may not be adequately prepared or available to support the new development, resulting in strains on transportation systems, water supply, stormwater, wastewater, or necessary community facilities in the region.
Taking into account the realities of climate change, sustainability, equity, and community requirements and the current pace of growth and the escalating impact of climate change, it is crucial to revisit the FULSS as there are apprehensions regarding its long-term viability.
We need to reassess the suitability of land identified on flood-prone land for future growth, especially in the face of projected climate change.
On May 4, 2023, Auckland Council approved a draft strategy outlining the city's growth and development plans for the next 30 years. During the consultation period from June to August 2023, the public will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the strategy.
Given the potential changes to the FULSS and the occurrence of 'out of sequence' developments, it is also necessary to revisit the outcomes anticipated by the Auckland Plan 2050s Development Strategy.
It is worth re-evaluating whether future development demands in the plan align with the rapidly-sprawling Auckland and can withstand the escalating challenges posed by climate change.
Furthermore, in the context of Auckland's rapid growth, it is vital for infrastructure providers such as Auckland Council, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, and KiwiRail to have a clear understanding of the timing and scale of growth in the region. The financial constraints associated with infrastructure provisions have led the council to oppose certain development projects in the past or reshuffle their decisions. For example, the Drury-Opāheke area's approximately 330 hectares of land development labelled as out-of-sequence development required significant investment in infrastructure, making it a challenging project for the council to undertake alone.
Revisiting and updating Auckland's Future Urban Land Supply Strategy is a matter of urgency. It is also important for planners to work closely with infrastructure providers to ensure they have the necessary information and support to deliver infrastructure on time and within budget.
As concerned members of the public, it is also crucial for communities in Auckland to raise pertinent questions with Auckland Council during the public consultation process for the revised future land supply strategy. These questions should address the alignment of the strategy with community needs and wellbeing, aspirations, and values, its approach to sustainability and environmental concerns, what is being done to promote resilience to future challenges like climate change and reduce the risk of natural disaster.
By embracing the opportunity to rethink our approaches, we can strive for a future where our communities are resilient, sustainable, and prepared to face the mounting challenges of climate change for current and future generations.
