National Policy Statement a useful addition to the housing policy toolbox

Local Government New Zealand and its Metro Sector today welcomed the general approach of the Government’s draft National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity (NPS).

“The draft NPS usefully connects theoretical land availability with commercially viable developments,” said Metro Sector Chair and Mayor of Tauranga City, Stuart Crosby.

“However as the Government has acknowledged this is just one part of the programme of the housing policy toolbox,” said Mr Cosby.

“Local government has said the critical part of delivering housing to New Zealanders remains the construction and financing of large scale infrastructure, principally roads, water networks, parks, libraries, and other community facilities. These are what create sustainable communities.”

“Present policy settings fail to drive innovation in infrastructure financing tools. This creates stress on rate payers and council debt levels. This is a key next step for the Government in collaboration with local authorities to work on.”

“The sector looks forward to engaging with the Government on the draft NPS but also on the other critical parts of the policy toolbox that create more houses sooner,” concluded Mayor Crosby.

ENDS

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