A slip in Titirangi, caused by the 2023 Auckland Anniversary weekend storm. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Auckland Councillors are set to discuss what to do with vacant land once storm-damaged properties are removed.
The council was set to purchase 1215 high-risk homes by the end of 2025, costing $352 million (shared 50:50 with the government), as part of the region's voluntary buyout scheme.
As of March, 608 sale and purchase offers had been settled on Category 3 properties deemed unliveable after storms in 2023.
At its Policy and Planning Committee on Thursday, the council's governing body would be deciding whether to approve a plan that sets out possible future uses for the land.
Council advice released ahead of the meeting showed initial analysis of the first 300 properties purchased suggested roughly half could be sold to help with remaining storm recovery costs.
This included selling land to the private sector for re-development where it was safe to do so or to neighbours for extra backyard space.
However, the advice said most of the land assessed (70 percent) was not ideal for re-development and expected to have a very low value or market appeal.
In cases where land was too hazardous for any activity, the council would ensure it received basic maintenance including mowing and tree trimming.
It said the remaining land would be used for council services as needed.
If the Storm Affected Land Use policy and implementation approach were approved, plots of land would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by council staff to determine their best use.
The public could also make suggestions for specific Category 3 sites, through the council's expressions of interest register.
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