November 29, 2022

NZ Urban Development news from the media | 22 November 2022 | RMA reforms aim to make housing and urban system simpler, faster, cheaper

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Hi *|FNAME|*, Please find below Urban Development News from the media from the week of 22 November 2022.

Provided by Rockhopper Development Management & Advisory, a member of:

Resource Management Act reform and the housing and urban system

The Government has introduced two new Bills – the Natural and Built Environments Bill and Spatial Planning Bill) to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA)

Three new Bills will be introduced to replace the existing RMA :

Natural and Built Environment Act

The Natural and Built Environment Act will be the primary replacement for the RMA.
It will aim to protect and restore the environment while enabling development within environmental limits, through a National Planning Framework (NPF), Natural and Built Environment Plans (NBA Plans), and resource consents.

Spatial Planning Act

The Spatial Planning Act will deliver long-term - 30-100 years - plans through Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) to guide matters of long-term strategic importance for integrated spatial planning in a region and set out a vision and objectives to guide the region.

Climate Adaptation Act

The Climate Adaptation Act will be introduced at a later date.

https://environment.govt.nz/news/resource-management-reform-legislation-introduced-to-parliament/

Thousands of new homes possible for eleven regions through infrastructure investment

Critical infrastructure projects in Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga, Christchurch, Kawakawa, Kaikohe, Westport, Upper Hutt, Waipukurau, Hokitika and Pahiatua will receive a share of $539.8 million, enabling thousands more homes to be built.

Kāinga Ora GM Commercial, Caroline McDowall, says this round of IAF funding is expected to enable around 16,600 new homes to be built over the next 10 to 15 years.

“By assisting councils and project partners to fund crucial infrastructure projects, we are able to support the growth of thriving communities for years to come,” she says.

https://kaingaora.govt.nz/news/thousands-of-new-homes-possible-for-eleven-regions-through-infrastructure-investment/

More homes on the horizon for Wellington

This week, Housing Minister Megan Woods announced the purchase of 28 Adelaide Road in Mount Cook, Wellington. The 2,016m2 section was purchased as part of a Kāinga Ora urban development programme aimed at increasing housing supply and affordability.

The Kāinga Ora Land Programme looks to purchase in areas where the market on its own struggles to deliver the quantity and type of housing needed and where there is support of councils, iwi and infrastructure partners, in order to achieve the best results for communities and the surrounding region.

The Adelaide Road site links in with numerous other initiatives as part of the proposed Let’s Get Wellington Moving public transport corridor, and aligns with other Wellington City programmes such as the Green Network Plan, Wellington Wastewater Renewals and Upgrades Programme.

https://kaingaora.govt.nz/news/more-homes-on-the-horizon-for-wellington/

Previous news can be access here: https://www.rockhopper.co.nz/blogs/news