Minister takes chainsaw to red tape

Media Statement

12 June 2008

Minister of Building and Construction takes chainsaw to red tape

Connal Townsend, Chief Executive of Property Council New Zealand, is supportive of changes to the Building Act that were announced last night by Hon. Shane Jones at Collier International’s ‘Where the research meets the road’ cocktail function.

Major reforms announced include a blueprint for starter homes, national multi-use consents and improvements to the process of managing variations to consented building work. Changes to the Building Act will mean increased flexibility and a reduction in costs for the property industry according to the Minster of Building and Construction.

We are pleased that the Minister has received our message that Property Council members are “fed-up with unnecessary rules, regulations and delays,” said Mr. Townsend.

“While there is still much to be achieved, particularly the on-going abuse of development contributions under the Local Government Act, and the need for greater use of National Policy Statements under the Resource Management Act, tackling the Building Act is a step in the right direction,” he said.

“The compliance issues that the property industry currently faces are massive. At a time when the housing affordability crisis is at its peak, a major overhaul of planning and compliance costs levied by local and regional council is urgently needed. The Minster’s reforms are a major win for the property industry,” said Mr. Townsend.

ENDS

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