NZ Urban Development news from the media | 18 January 2022 | Land bought for $1 billion bid to turn Southland into global IT hub

Land bought for $1 billion bid to turn Southland into global IT hub

A $1 billion-plus project, which would see Southland become a cheap, ‘green’ hub for storing data and dishing up cloud computing services in Australia, New Zealand and beyond, has taken two big steps forward.

The company behind the project, Datagrid, has bought a 43-hectare site in North Makarewa near Invercargill, where it plans to begin construction of a huge cloud computing facility later this year.

Singaporean shipping giant BW Group has at the same time invested in Datagrid, agreeing to acquire a 37.5 per cent shareholding in its holding company previously held by CallPlus founder Malcolm Dick.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/127020332/land-bought-for-1-billion-bid-to-turn-southland-into-global-it-hub

Update: Enabling Housing Supply legislation passes to help grow our cities

New Zealanders are set to benefit from changes to density planning laws from August 2022, following the passing of the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021.

On 20 December, the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021 was passed into law - unlocking more housing in our growing cities.  

This amendment to the RMA does two things. Firstly, it requires tier 1 councils in Auckland, and greater Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch to change their planning rules so most of their residential areas are zoned for medium density housing.  Secondly, it creates a new streamlined process so these councils can implement the NPS-UD’s intensification policies faster. 
 

https://www.hud.govt.nz/about-us/news/update-enabling-housing-supply-legislation-passes-to-help-grow-our-cities/

First stage of Dunedin Hospital build granted consent

An independent panel has approved a fast-tracked consent for the first stage of the new $1.47 billion Dunedin Hospital build.

In August, the Minister of Health and Ministry of Health jointly lodged the application under legislation passed at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic to hasten "shovel-ready" building projects so as to revive the economy after the first level 4 lockdown.

It covers resource consents for stage 1 enabling works for the new hospital, including site-clearing, earthworks and foundation works.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/first-stage-of-dunedin-hospital-build-granted-consent/IUE6RQ3WHBAS67YU3QQNGZMIFM/

O'Donnell: City block 'on budget', but scope bigger, contingency needed

The initial work set out for Invercargill’s city block development remains within its original $165 million budget and construction is on time, Invercargill Central Ltd Scott O’Donnell says.

O’Donnell said a key reason behind the move to draw in an extra $15m in funding was to increase the scope of the development and also provide some contingency.

The Invercargill City Council has released a consultation document which outlines a proposal to invest a further $7.5m into the development, being led by Invercargill Central Ltd, and provide a $22.5m short-term loan.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/127513613/odonnell-city-block-on-budget-but-scope-bigger-contingency-needed