NZ Urban Development news from the media | 13 December 2022 | Govt backs Eastern Busway extension, delivering progress on vital transport projects

Govt backs Eastern Busway extension, delivering progress on vital transport projects

Faster travel times and a more reliable bus service is coming to more of Auckland’s eastern suburbs, with the Government confirming investment in the next phases of the Eastern Busway.

Alongside this important step, Auckland Council and the Government have confirmed a path ahead  for crucial futureproofing projects such as getting the best return out of the City Rail Link, Auckland Light Rail and the Alternative Waitemata Harbour crossing, Transport Minister Michael Wood and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown have announced today.

“The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, greener, and more efficient for now and future generations to come,” Michael Wood said.

“Auckland’s eastern suburbs have one of the highest levels of journey to work trips by car and lowest use of public transport in Auckland. With this investment, 24,000 more Aucklanders will now live within 1 km of a rapid transit station, providing an attractive public transport service that is reliable and delivers an improved service to the city.

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt-backs-eastern-busway-extension-delivering-progress-vital-transport-projects

New retirement village model shares capital gains with residents

Shared capital gains and lower management fees are part of the deal for retirees who buy into Fletcher Building’s new retirement village on Auckland’s North Shore.

As the population ages, demand for retirement living options has increased, but there have long been misgivings over the ownership model used by many villages.

Residents buy the right to occupy a particular unit in the village, which is known as an occupancy right agreement (ORA), and when they leave they are charged a deferred management fee.

Many villages did not return a former resident’s money until someone else bought the ORA for the unit they had left. This could take months, and some villages continued to charge weekly fees until a sale happens.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/retirement/130665523/new-retirement-village-model-shares-capital-gains-with-residents

Building a better housing and urban future for Rotorua, together

Ensuring Rotorua has better and more sustainable housing outcomes for its people is behind the Rotorua Housing Accord, signed by central and local government, Rotorua Lakes Council, Te Arawa and Ngāti Whakaue as mana whenua which gifted land to establish the Rotorua township.

The accord between Government, Rotorua Lakes Council, and Te Arawa Iwi renews the commitment to work collaboratively to address Rotorua’s chronic housing shortage, improve emergency housing and the wellbeing of the community, says Minister for Housing Megan Woods and Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni. 

Megan Woods says Rotorua has experienced significant population growth in recent years, with over 9000 people coming into Rotorua since 2013 and only 1200 private homes built and a net loss of public homes during the period of the last National Government.

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/building-better-housing-and-urban-future-rotorua-together