LGNZ welcomes Minister of Finance clarity on Housing Policy

LGNZ President, Lawrence Yule, has today welcomed the Minister of Finance’s clarity on the Government’s position on housing affordability.

In his speech to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce (Business Central), Minister English indicated that the Government’s focus is on working with councils to get more houses built.

“This is the goal of the local government sector too,” said Mr Yule.

“Like the Minister, councils are focussed on ensuring that housing stock can be brought to the market in a timely manner to ease the pressure on housing affordability.”

In his speech, the Minister argued that a principle cause of affordability issues arise from planning rules set by councils that restrict, delay and raise the cost of development.

Mr Yule agrees, “Fit-for-purpose planning rules that properly balance the costs and benefits of planning outcomes is critical to get right, and the local government sector needs to ensure that this goal remains front of mind.”

“It is also important that infrastructure to support housing developments can be brought to market and funded without undue burden on ratepayers, and we will continue to work constructively with the Government on this point,” concluded Mr Yule.

ENDS

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