I'm going to protect the Auckland residents know and love, address the issues holding back the region and enhance its best attributes so we all can enjoy a better quality of life. Auckland is already a great place to live and I want to protect those qualities that make it great.
That includes our environment, our economy and our people. We have fantastic diversity that is worth saving. The Unitary Plan does not recognise unique local attributes. We know and can show that the increased density of housing in communities not well served by public transport is going to make congestion worse, reduce accessibility for residents and increase house prices.
I don't want to change the city, I just want to fix those aspects we know are frustrating Aucklanders - issues such as congestion, public transport access, rates increases, housing affordability and council inefficiencies.
The only way to achieve this with strong community support is with a different approach: I'm going to build satellite centres to meet Auckland's housing and employment needs. New centres will provide high-intensity living and employment away from established neighbourhoods, but right on top of rail or busway stations so we maximise existing transport investments and stop wasting limited resources. With direct connection to the CBD and new smart public transport in and around centres, I will reduce pressure on existing networks never built to handle intensified living, and protect Our Auckland.
And I won't ask Aucklanders to foot the bill for new developments if they don't get the benefits. Satellites will be paid for from the future rates revenue stream new businesses and residents provide and I will take a fresh, disciplined approach to council spending and activity. I'm going to keep rates below the level of inflation and improve the effectiveness of the council by handing community decisions back to local boards and local communities.
