New Zealand government has joined legal proceedings against appeals to a $1.2 billion redevelopment of the Three Kings Quarry in Auckland.
Two local residents' groups, the Three Kings United Group and the South Epsom Planning Group, filed an appeal last year to stop a $1.2 billion Fletcher Building plan for up to 1500 apartments and townhouses on the site of the old Winstones quarry at Three Kings.
The two groups want the quarry filled to roughly the surrounding land level, less intensive housing and more open space, for environmental concerns.
On Monday, New Zealand Environment and Housing Minister Dr. Nick Smith announced that government has taken unusual step of joining proceedings to support the Auckland Council and Fletcher Residential to fight the appeal, because of the size and the significance of the project, Scoop reports.
Dr. Smith said the decision aims to make a firm stand in favour of plan changes that are needed to address Auckland's growth and housing problems. He said the residents' appeal would mean delaying the project by about a decade while the old quarry was filled, and building fewer homes that would inevitably be dearer.
According to New Zealand Herald, Dr. Smith's move to join legal proceedings is the first time an Environment Minister has used this power since 1999.
Environmental Defence Society executive director Gary Taylor surprisingly welcomed Dr. Smith's move. Taylor said that the government is obviously concerned about community groups thwarting intensification in Auckland, and that is a valid planning concern.
Taylor said that it will be up to court to decide what weight to attach to his submission and any evidence that he might call.
By joining the legal proceedings, the government will be able to make submission to the court about housing affordability and supply if the Environmental Court will rule against the appeal, Radio New Zealand reports.
Dr. Smith did not say how many of the 1500 houses would be affordable. He said the exact price range would be determined by Fletcher Residential once the property came onto the market.
President of the Three Kings United Group, Garry Bryant, said the insfrastructure would not be able to cope with the number of people in the planned 1500 houses. Bryant said he hoped the appeal would provide an opportunity to look at other plans for the quarry.
If the court approve the project, the construction onsite is expected to begin by the end of the year, and the first houses built by 2017 or 2018. The whole 1500 houses would take eight to ten years to build.
