Information Evening for Plan Change 120
Spokesperson McRae
Wednesday 12 November 7.30pm
Most of you will have received a letter from Auckland Council on making a submission to the Proposed Plan Change 120.
This is part of the Government’s push to intensify much of Auckland and is a replacement for the discredited PC 78.
We invite you to an information evening on 12 November Harmony Hall 7.30 where we will explain the hearing process and give expert advice on how to fill out the submission form.
Submissions open on 3 November and close on 19 December 2025.
How it Affects Devonport
Devonport will remain a Single House Zone under the proposed plan change but 257 local houses will drop out of the Special Character Overlay. This overlay protects the area from unsympathetic development.
The plan change means that for these sites there will be no constraints on design, architectural form or setback and no requirements to be compatible with surrounding heritage homes.
While the height limit will still be two storeys, we believe deleting these properties from the SCA will have a detrimental effect on Devonport’s overall character.
Special Character is about protecting the collective values of an area and the proposed change will mean Devonport’s historic identity will start being eroded.
Where?
There are eight areas where clusters of homes will drop out of the Special Character Area (SCA). They are around the edges of Devonport and are crucial in marking the beginning of the character area.
This is especially so of King Edward Parade, our highly historic waterfront. While there are some non-heritage properties here, if there is open slather on architectural design it will further affect the historic identity.
Areas to lose their SCA:
part of King Edward Parade to the west of Church Street & sites behind the Masonic
part of Vauxhall Rd opposite the rugby grounds & Beaconsfield St
parts of Mozeley Ave
all of Ariho Terrace & northern side Empire Rd
parts of Oxford Terrace, Rata & Matai Street
parts of Wairoa Rd, Morrison Rd, Derby St, Cambria Rd, North Ave & Turnbull Rd
east Vauxhall Rd near Fort Takapuna
part of Stanley Point from Second Ave west.
Loss of Character Auckland Wide
Character areas across Auckland will be severely affected by the plan change with thousands of houses losing their SCA protections.
As well some of the great heritage suburbs in the isthmus like Mt Eden will be rezoned to allow 15 storey apartments.
The current mania for intensification will mean the city’s character housing and its historic value and identity will gradually be lost.
Submissions Matter
It is hugely important that large numbers of residents make a submission against the proposed changes to Devonport and to Auckland.
An independent panel will run the hearing and hear submissions. If enough Aucklanders oppose some of the plans it can make a difference.
Your voice matters!