17 minute read
Council scaling up to meet growing resource consent demands
Auckland Council is currently implementing a pipeline of work and initiatives to improve performance and efficiency.
Efficiency improvements and additional resource has resulted in Auckland Council processing the highest monthly number of resource consents in the past six years.
In March, Auckland Council completed a record 1662 resource consent applications. In April, council also completed more applications than were lodged, reducing a backlog of new consent applications that built up because of extremely high volumes at the end of 2021.
In the year ending April 2022, a record 19,481 resource consents were lodged, a 12 per cent increase on the previous year (17,414). November 2021 saw the highest number of applications lodged per month (1798) since the Auckland Unitary Plan was implemented in 2016.
Chairperson of council’s regulatory committee, Councillor Linda Cooper, says the team has been working hard to improve its operational performance to meet growing demand for resource consents.
“Meeting the unprecedented demands for resource consent applications is a priority for Auckland Council and it’s great to see we’re moving in the right direction to get on top of the record consent applications from the end of 2021.
“We are committed to making ongoing operational improvements throughout 2022, including actively recruiting staff and working smarter to process consent applications faster.”
Auckland Council is currently implementing a pipeline of work and initiatives to improve performance and efficiency. These include improvements to IT systems and an important focus on proportionate decision-making, which sees staff processing the simpler applications more quickly, reducing the overall workload and allowing more time for complex applications.
Auckland Council general manager of resource consents, Ian Smallburn, says the work programme will not only help to reduce the current workload, but also better prepare council for any increased demand on its regulatory services expected later this year when new central government housing rules start coming into force.
“With central government’s new rules allowing for greater housing density starting to take effect in August this year, we are anticipating a period of flux and increase in demand on our services as property owners and all those in the development sector navigate the changes.
“We want to reassure Aucklanders we are sharply focused on improving our resource consent processes to meet growing demand and will continue to do so.”
The suite of new higher density housing rules requires Auckland Council to allow for more height and density to be built across the region – that means more apartments, terrace housing and townhouses, especially in places close to jobs, public transport, and services.
The rules are significant and complex and will be coming into effect in stages over the next 12-18 months.
The first to come into legal effect are the government’s medium density residential standard (MDRS) housing rules, which could allow a property owner to build up to three homes of up to three storeys without a land use resource consent.
Whether the new rules apply immediately to an individual property owner will depend on a number of factors still being determined through the ongoing decision-making process expected to be completed mid-August 2023. Auckland Council will provide up-to-date information on the rule changes as soon as they become available.
accentuates the sense of openness while also allowing features such as the black barn doors and kitchen cabinetry, schist fireplace, and feature walls Landmark Homes to have an impact.
The four-bedroom floorplan has been designed with family flexibility in mind and includes a master suite contained within its own wing, as well as a guest HELPING ACHIEVE DREAMS suite with a double bedroom leading out to a patio area, plus a private ensuite.
Quality materials
In the kitchen a solid laminated American oak timber island benchtop creates a beautiful focal point and is sure to become the heart of the home where kids and parents can catch up over breakfast, or the chef can entertain guests while keeping an eye on the oven. A generously large scullery helps keep the kitchen space clear of clutter and provides that allimportant extra storage that modern families need. Underfoot, Forté engineered wood floors are not only good-looking but hardwearing too, offering a good example of the high standard of materials used throughout. “We want the home to not only look good and feel amazing to live in, but we also want it to meet the needs of busy families for years to come with hardwearing, beautiful materials,” says Michael.
Bringing the outdoors in
Key to the Showhome’s brief was a design that incorporated the indoor-outdoor flow that Kiwis love in their homes – space for outdoor entertaining, BBQs with the family, room for the kids to play and still be seen, and an easy flow between spaces that creates a sense of connection and cohesion. A clever design element that links the media room and living space is an external corner featuring a barn door on each side that, when opened fully, allow the two rooms to merge. The same has been done with an adjacent external window which opens out to an internal deck between the two pavilions. “When you open up both spaces, the result means the outdoor living space blends seamlessly with the indoors, creating a fantastic living and entertaining space.” And because the outdoor living space also features a louvred roof with LED lighting, the home’s indooroutdoor flow can be enjoyed across all seasons. It’s a great example of how Landmark’s designers have used innovative concepts to maximise liveability and create multi-purpose living areas catering to families at every age and stage.
The Landmark Homes Clevedon Showhome is now open and ready to inspire your own rural retreat. To view, call in to 167 Monument Road, Clevedon, Thursday – Sunday from 11am-4pm, or contact us on 09 294 6411 today to make an appointment.
Sadly, many of these horror stories are true. But they shouldn’t be. In fact, building your dream home should be one of the most amazing experiences of your life. That’s what Landmark Homes aims for.
No matter how unique that dream might be, Landmark Homes can build it. Even if you’ve never designed a home before – or your ideas are a little vague – we can help.
Here’s how:
WHAT IS DESIGN AND BUILD? Not so long ago, the only option for custombuilding your own home was to seek out all the different people involved in the process: the architect, the building company, electrician and the plumber.
Obviously, this took a lot of time and money. It was also long, complicated and often fraught with risk. The builder might disagree with the design, or the plumber might not show up on time causing costly delays to the project.
That’s why so many independent builds end up in disaster. Landmark Homes have changed all that.
Landmark Homes’ Design and Build option is essentially a one-stop shop for creating a home. The team design your home for you, project-manage the build – including all of the subcontractors – and build it. Simple.
You’re itching to build your dream home. You might even have a pretty Country living Country living Country living good idea of how it would look. There’s just one problem: you keep hearing horror stories about building! Unfinished projects, inflated costs, completion dates that never seem to arrive. with city convenience. with city convenience. with city convenience. Landmark Homes provides the processes, knowledge and experience to facilitate that journey of turning your dream into a reality. With Landmark Homes, each Design and Build project comes with a dedicated aesthetic,” says Landmark Homes Auckland – South-East operational team who take care of everything. franchise owner Michael Walters. “It’s a great example aesthetic,” says Landmark Homes Auckland – South-East From the day you sit down to talk about your of how a simple but carefully considered design element franchise owner Michael Walters. “It’s a great example home to the day they hand you the keys, the can transform an ordinary space and infuse it with a ‘wow’ of how a simple but carefully considered design element team has it sorted. can transform an ordinary space and infuse it with a ‘wow’ Landmark Homes also provide all The elegant modern country aesthetic continues throughout the warranties and guarantees for their the home with features such as black barn-style doors, The elegant modern country aesthetic continues throughout work. Even better, they sort out all council exposed timber ceiling trusses, and Hardie Grove ceilings. the home with features such as black barn-style doors, engineering, facilitation and other red tape exposed timber ceiling trusses, and Hardie Grove ceilings. (which can be a huge headache!). They also A particularly striking feature of the home is the handsome take care of the site itself and oversee all Craftstone schist column which wraps around the fireplace A particularly striking feature of the home is the handsome aspects of Health and Safety as required by to create a stunning central feature extending from the Craftstone schist column which wraps around the fireplace New Zealand law. exterior through to the interior living space. to create a stunning central feature extending from the A forecasted timeframe for each stage of Light and space exterior through to the interior living space. the building process is provided and the team Light and space keeps you up-to-date on each milestone. The main living area is all about light and space with an open plan design accentuated with two skylights (which also feature in two of the three bathrooms), full height windows, and high raking ceilings. “The pavilion window extends all the way to the roofline which really opens up the space and combines with the exposed trusses to create a beautiful feature within the room,” says Michael. The main living area is all about light and space with an open plan design accentuated with two skylights (which also feature in two of the three bathrooms), full height windows, and high raking ceilings. “The pavilion window extends all the way to the roofline which really opens up the space and combines with the exposed trusses to create a beautiful feature within the room,” says Michael. The whole project is based on a contract with a workflow system that maintains real-time oversight. Essentially, building with Landmark Homes means you don’t have to be on-site watching out for every nail that’s hammered into every plank of wood. Nor do you have to keep an Using a soft palette of grey, white, and timber tones eye on every piece of paper, receipt, invoice Using a soft palette of grey, white, and timber tones and so on. The only thing left for you to do is watch If you are looking to build your dream your dream come to life. home, contact our Auckland South-East KC15426 And that’s why Landmark Homes’ office today on 0800 62 88 59 customer base keeps growing. franklin@landmarkhomes.co.nz
Country living Country living Country living
The Landmark Homes Clevedon Showhome combines large light-filled living spaces with a modern country The Landmark Homes Clevedon Showhome combines design to create a welcoming and comfortable family large light-filled living spaces with a modern country home that reflects the region’s rural-urban aspect. design to create a welcoming and comfortable family home that reflects the region’s rural-urban aspect.
Located just minutes from the popular Clevedon Village Farmers Market, Landmark Homes Clevedon Showhome Located just minutes from the popular Clevedon Village is all about relaxed rural living that doesn’t sacrifice on Farmers Market, Landmark Homes Clevedon Showhome convenience. is all about relaxed rural living that doesn’t sacrifice on convenience. With a 275m2 pavilion design that creates two wings and a central outdoor living space, the Showhome offers With a 275m2 pavilion design that creates two wings inspiration to those looking to enjoy the benefits of a larger and a central outdoor living space, the Showhome offers property with fantastic indoor-outdoor flow, away from inspiration to those looking to enjoy the benefits of a larger the busyness of the city, but still conveniently close to property with fantastic indoor-outdoor flow, away from everything it has to offer. the busyness of the city, but still conveniently close to A rural retreat everything it has to offer.
A rural retreat
As you step inside the entranceway, you’re given a taste of the home’s stylish design with a bold and eye-catching cowhide leather-look feature wall offset with contemporary pendant lighting. “It creates a fantastic point of interest as you enter the home and instantly sets the scene for the home’s modern country 18 — Design and Build South East — 2022-2023 aesthetic,” says Landmark Homes Auckland – South-East franchise owner Michael Walters. “It’s a great example of how a simple but carefully considered design element can transform an ordinary space and infuse it with a ‘wow’ factor.” The elegant modern country aesthetic continues throughout the home with features such as black barn-style doors, exposed timber ceiling trusses, and Hardie Grove ceilings. A particularly striking feature of the home is the handsome Craftstone schist column which wraps around the fireplace to create a stunning central feature extending from the exterior through to the interior living space.
As you step inside the entranceway, you’re given a taste of the home’s stylish design with a bold and eye-catching cowhide leather-look feature wall offset with contemporary pendant lighting. “It creates a fantastic point of interest as you enter the home and instantly sets the scene for the home’s modern country aesthetic,” says Landmark Homes Auckland – South-East franchise owner Michael Walters. “It’s a great example of how a simple but carefully considered design element can transform an ordinary space and infuse it with a ‘wow’ factor.” The elegant modern country aesthetic continues throughout the home with features such as black barn-style doors, exposed timber ceiling trusses, and Hardie Grove ceilings. A particularly striking feature of the home is the handsome Craftstone schist column which wraps around the fireplace to create a stunning central feature extending from the exterior through to the interior living space.
Light and space Light and space
The main living area is all about light and space with an open plan design accentuated with two skylights (which The main living area is all about light and space with an also feature in two of the three bathrooms), full height open plan design accentuated with two skylights (which windows, and high raking ceilings. “The pavilion window also feature in two of the three bathrooms), full height extends all the way to the roofline which really opens up the windows, and high raking ceilings. “The pavilion window space and combines with the exposed trusses to create a extends all the way to the roofline which really opens up the beautiful feature within the room,” says Michael. space and combines with the exposed trusses to create a beautiful feature within the room,” says Michael. Using a soft palette of grey, white, and timber tones Using a soft palette of grey, white, and timber tones
accentuates the sense of openness while also allowing features such as the black barn doors and kitchen cabinetry, schist fireplace, and feature walls to have an impact. The four-bedroom floorplan has been designed with family flexibility in mind and includes a master suite contained within its own wing, as well as a guest suite with a double bedroom leading out to a patio area, plus a private ensuite.
Quality materials
In the kitchen a solid laminated American oak timber island benchtop creates a beautiful focal point and is sure to become the heart of the home where kids and parents can catch up over breakfast, or the chef can entertain guests while keeping an eye on the oven. A generously large scullery helps keep the kitchen space clear of clutter and provides that allimportant extra storage that modern families need. Underfoot, Forté engineered wood floors are not only good-looking but hardwearing too, offering a good example of the high standard of materials used throughout. “We want the home to not only look good and feel amazing to live in, but we also want it to meet the needs of busy families for years to come with hardwearing, beautiful materials,” says Michael.
Bringing the outdoors in
Key to the Showhome’s brief was a design that incorporated the indoor-outdoor flow that Kiwis love in their homes – space for outdoor entertaining, BBQs with the family, room for the kids to play and still be seen, and an easy flow between spaces that creates a sense of connection and cohesion. A clever design element that links the media room and living space is an external corner featuring a barn door on each side that, when opened fully, allow the two rooms to merge. The same has been done with an adjacent external window which opens out to an internal deck between the two pavilions. “When you open up both spaces, the result means the outdoor living space blends seamlessly with the indoors, creating a fantastic living and entertaining space.” And because the outdoor living space also features a louvred roof with LED lighting, the home’s indooroutdoor flow can be enjoyed across all seasons. It’s a great example of how Landmark’s designers have used innovative concepts to maximise liveability and create multi-purpose living areas catering to families at every age and stage.
The Landmark Homes Clevedon Showhome is now open and ready to inspire your own rural retreat. To view, call in to 167 Monument Road, Clevedon, Thursday – Sunday from 11am-4pm, or contact us on 09 294 6411 today to make an appointment.
Choosing the right builder
With so many builders competing for your business, choosing the right builder for you is quite possibly the most difficult decision you will make.
Experts suggest the best course of action is to take a look at a builder’s track record, view their showhomes and talk to some of their customers. It’s important when choosing your builder, to choose the best fit for you, and that choice starts with finding a home builder you can trust.
G.J. Gardner Homes has the distinction of being voted New Zealand’s Most Trusted Home Builder once again in the annual 2022 Reader’s Digest survey. As a brand, G.J. Gardner brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the mix, having built more than 1400 homes in the East Auckland and Manukau area since 1998.
With GJ’s, clients can have confidence in their building journey as they will be dealing with friendly, experienced professionals such as our G.J. Gardner Homes Manukau/East Auckland team.
With more than 40 years’ experience between them, Debbie and Graeme Van Leeuwen and Vimal Pillay are the owners of the local GJ franchise.
Being local means benefiting from all the advantages of dealing with people in your community, while also having the support of a national brand. This means great value, great buying power and strong, established industry relationships.
Their team of new home consultants can help you to understand what is possible on your site. Is it to remove an existing dwelling and rebuild one or more homes, subdivide and build one of more homes? Or perhaps you have a bare site and are ready to build.
Their experienced team will create a solution tailored to your site. Meaning not only will you get exactly what you want but you’ll maximise the value of your location all with the benefit of having GJ’s manage everything, every step of the way.
Furthermore, because you are dealing with New Zealand’s most trusted home builder, you can be confident of excellent value and quality workmanship.
Come and visit their showhome at 134 Campbell Road, One Tree Hill. Be inspired and impressed at the possibilities because this GJ’s showhome is purpose built to showcase the potential of subdividing.
Or alternatively drop into their Design Centre at 49F Springs Road, East Tamaki for a coffee and chat. An experienced team is ready and willing to help with your next project whether it’s a new build, rebuild, multi dwelling development or subdivision.
They are able to offer a free property development appraisal to help you understand what is possible on your land and ensure you make smart building decisions.
