Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Video | Agriculture | Confidence | Economy | Energy | Employment | Finance | Media | Property | RBNZ | Science | SOEs | Tax | Technology | Telecoms | Tourism | Transport | Search

 

Councils must change attitude and culture to address housing

Media Release

22 December 2014

Councils must change attitude and culture to address housing supply

District planning rules must consider the economic feasibility of development while addressing land for housing

Property Council has submitted on the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into using land of housing. Chief executive Connal Townsend says requirements in district, regional and unitary plans are being drafted in a silo.

“The lack of regard to how the cumulative impacts of rules and requirements affect development is inadequate, particularly in parts of the country with a housing under-supply. These plans have the ability to send powerful investment signals to the industry.

“If requirements and zoning fail to send a reliable, strong signal out to the market, they simply won’t attract the levels of development needed to address supply issues.”

Council officers and CCOs must understand and consider how their decisions and requirements affect development and its economic feasibility.

“The Government and local authorities need real commitment to achieve this, including legislative change and culture change. Inefficiencies and delays will continue if whole councils and CCOs are not committed to enabling and increasing housing supply.

While councils are well-intentioned with their visions in planning documents, the reality is planning and consenting continue to remain prescriptive in many parts of the country and are increasing costs. This is most obvious in Auckland where there is an acute housing crisis.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (PAUP) requires developers to provide 6-star Homestar subject to strict urban design controls, and zoning provisions work against the levels of development needed to match Auckland’s growing population. The cumulative impact does not encourage dense development and more affordable houses.

“The PAUP and other plans throughout the country need to encourage intensification through planning rules or else make more greenfields land available.”

END.


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Business Headlines | Sci-Tech Headlines

 
GenPro: General Practices Begin Issuing Clause 14 Notices

GenPro has been copied into a rising number of Clause 14 notices issued since the NZNO lodged its Primary Practice Pay Equity Claim against General Practice employers in December 2023.More

SPADA: Screen Industry Unites For Streaming Platform Regulation & Intellectual Property Protections

In an unprecedented international collaboration, representatives of screen producing organisations from around the world have released a joint statement.More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.