Property Council supports Government’s focus on RMA

Media Release

15 October 2014

Property Council supports Government’s focus on RMA

Property Council supports potential reform to the Resource Management Act that factors in the built environment into its purposes and principles.

Building and Housing, and Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith told delegates at the one-day Property Council Residential Development Summit in Auckland this morning that there are fundamental problems with the RMA affecting long-term housing affordability.

Property Council has advocated for greater consideration of the built environment, including the availability of land for urban expansion and development, into decision making processes.

Other critical changes should include the efficient provision of infrastructure and the risk and impacts of natural hazards. These will help ensure a more integrated approach is applied to decision making and will create more certainty and consistency for development across New Zealand.

Property Council chief executive Connal Townsend says the Government’s focus on housing affordability across Ministerial portfolios is commendable.

“We now have one Minister responsible for housing across a broad regulatory framework and a Government that has signalled its commitment and intent to improve the RMA and get it working better.

“We believe the time will come for a comprehensive overhaul of the RMA, which has undergone numerous reviews and amendments since its enactment in 1991.

“However, I understand the Government does not have the immediate luxury of time to spend on this while the housing supply crisis continues to worsen.

“I was encouraged to hear Dr Smith say that the day will come.”

About Property Council New Zealand

Property Council is New Zealand’s commercial property voice. Property Council represents New Zealand's office, industrial, retail, property funds and multi-unit residential property owners, investors and managers. Property Council’s branches throughout the country represent some of the largest commercial property portfolios in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, East Coast/Hawkes Bay and the South Island and Otago region, the value of which exceeds billions

ENDS

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