October 26, 2016
Iwi take lead in intensive housing development
Marutuahu Roopu, Ockham Residential and Housing Minister Nick Smith have agreed to jointly develop land at Mt Albert freed up by the completion of the Waterview motorway connection.
Dr Smith says it’s the first development under the Housing Protocol agreed last year between the Crown and Tamaki Collective.
The New North Rd site owned by the New Zealand Transport Agency was identified last year as suitable for the Crown Land Housing Programme.
The land has been given Special Housing Area status, meaning it can take 100 homes rather than 24 under the old planning rules.
The government receives deferred settlement, meaning the developers don’t have to pay for the land up front, but they do need to meet a brisk timetable and build for the more affordable end of the housing market.
Dr Smith says the average house price will be $573,000, with construction starting next winter and the first dwellings due to be completed by May 2018.
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