‘Devil In The Detail’ Of Housing Reforms – Waimakariri Deputy Mayor

Monday, 15 July 2024, 6:16 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Government housing reforms are ‘‘well-intentioned, but the devil will be in the detail’’, says Waimakariri Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson.

Councillor Atkinson, the Waimakariri District Council’s housing portfolio holder, said he welcomed efforts to speed up housing growth.

But he questioned a proposal to prohibit councils from imposing rural-urban boundary lines in planning documents.

‘‘I get the sentiment. I’m all for speeding up housing growth in a sensible manner, but is this proposal the sensible manner?

‘‘Removing the urban-rural boundary worries me.

‘‘Do we want to be a district of many towns or compact and efficient?’’

Housing Minister Chris Bishop recently announced sweeping changes to planning rules in a bid to boost housing growth by freeing up land and removing planning red tape.

Tier 1 and 2 councils will be required to develop 30 years housing growth targets, while the new medium density residential standards (MDRS) will be made optional.

Waimakariri is a tier 1 council, as the towns Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend, Pegasus and Ravenswood are part of Greater Christchurch.

The Greater Christchurch Spatial Plan, adopted by the partner councils earlier this year, includes planning for housing growth over the next 30 years, which is reflected in the proposed Waimakariri District Plan, expected to take effect later this year.

Cr Atkinson said the proposed changes left the council ‘‘stuck in a difficult position’’ between the old District Plan, the process of finalising the new one and waiting on the new legislation.

‘‘There will be variations we will be required to do under the legislation and you can’t enact the variations for two years, while it goes through the process.’’

He suggested there needed to be a bipartisan approach to housing, with political parties working together on housing policy, rather than forcing changes on councils every few years.

‘‘I think everyone is working to the same goals, but we’ve got bogged down in bureaucracy.

‘‘There are so many restrictions on where you can put a stake in the ground.’’

Cr Atkinson said concerns remained about how the housing growth would be funded, a concern echoed by Local Government New Zealand president Sam Broughton.

"If we are serious about solving the housing crisis, we must change how growth is paid for.

"New housing requires roads, footpaths, green space, and services, which are really expensive for councils and ratepayers."

Mr Broughton said LGNZ had called on the Government to partner with councils on housing, but local government was not consulted on the proposed changes before they were announced.

Development planning manager Matt Bacon said the council was proceeding with the District Plan Review process, based on the existing legislative framework.

The Government’s proposed changes would be considered as part of the review process, should they become law.

As the proposed District Plan was notified prior to the MDRS rules being made the default position for urban areas in tier 1 councils in December 2021, variations were being considered as part of the review.

Should the MDRS become voluntary, as proposed, the council will be required to take a ratification vote.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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