|
Dear John --
This morning on Q+A, I announced National's "Going
for Housing Growth" plan outlining how National will fix
New Zealand’s housing crisis by unlocking land for housing inside and
around our cities, building infrastructure, and making sure
communities share in the benefits of growth.
Labour has failed on housing. Rents are up $160
per week since 2017, the social housing waitlist has increased by over
20,000 applicants, 3,500 families live in motels, and over 400
families live in cars.
National's Going for Housing Growth plan will:
-
Unlock land for housing – Councils in major towns and
cities will be required to zone land for 30 years’ worth of housing
demand immediately. Councils will have more flexibility about where
houses are built by being able to opt-out of the Medium Density
Residential Zone law, however central government will have reserve
powers to ensure councils set aside enough land to meet demand
targets.
-
Provide Infrastructure financing tools – The
Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) Act will be reformed to
reduce red tape for developers to fund infrastructure. Combined with
targeted rates to fund greenfield developments, this will remove the
need for councils to fund greenfield infrastructure from their balance
sheets. Housing growth will also become a priority for transport
funding through NZTA.
-
Ensure Housing performance incentives for councils –
A $1 billion fund for Build-for-Growth incentive payments for councils
that deliver more new housing – funded by stopping existing programmes
like KiwiBuild.
National’s plan means that for every house delivered above the
five-year average in a council area, the council will receive
$25,000. National has always been open to sensible change that will
still deliver a massive increase in housing, and our policy does just
that.
Our plan will require councils to quickly make land available to
meet 30 years of housing demand, creating abundant development
opportunities. Councils will either do this through greenfield
development or greater density, particularly along transport corridors
– but they’ll have to do it, or central government will do it for
them.
National’s vision is for thriving and productive cities and regions
where everyone has a warm and dry place to call home. It means vibrant
and growing cities, with good quality public transport and efficient
and reliable infrastructure.
Our plan means that a National-led Government will let councils opt
out of the one-size-fits-all approach to intensification - the Medium
Density Residential Changes. But councils must show they can meet
future demand by either zoning land though greenfield development or
though greater density.
National’s Going for Housing Growth Plan is part
of National’s plan to fix the housing crisis. National has already
announced plans to improve the rental market such as bringing back
interest deductibility for rental properties and unlocking the
potential of Build to Rent housing.
A National government will fix the economy to reduce the cost of
living, lift incomes and afford the public services New Zealanders
deserve.
Chris Bishop
National Party Spokesperson for Housing and Infrastructure
PS: The election is only 139 days
away. Help us get NZ back on track by donating to
National.
|
