Twyford right to override Auckland Council

The Herald reports:

The Housing Minister plans to override Auckland Council and scrap the Unitary Plan in specified parts of Auckland.

The Government wants more houses built, more quickly, and does not trust that the council has the planning processes in place to deliver.

Twyford is probably right.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford discussed the new plans this week in an exclusive interview with the Herald. He said he is taking a proposal to Cabinet “very soon” to change the way key developments are planned.

Twyford plans to establish a new Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and in Auckland he will set up an Urban Development Authority (UDA).

An Urban Development Authority has merit. It will be focused on making sure enough houses are built in Auckland.