National has designed a streamlined mechanism for allocating the Government’s $3.8 billion fund for housing
infrastructure, National’s Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Bayly says.
A Member’s Bill drafted by Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins, which will go into the ballot this week, will
provide councils with a simple $50,000 grant for every new house they consent over and above their five-year historical
average.
The Government says its $3.8b Housing Acceleration Fund will deliver 80,000 to 130,000 houses over 20 years. But this
only equates to between $29,000 and $48,000 per house.
“We’re saying to councils that for every extra house they build, the Government will provide $50,000 for infrastructure
– no ifs, no buts, and no complex hurdles,” Mr Bayly says.
“This sensible move can be done right now to address the housing shortage and help first-home buyers.”
To date, the Government has only provided vague details about how it plans to allocate the $3.8b Housing Acceleration
Fund, Mr Bayly says.
“The vagueness of the Government’s plans will be bureaucratic hurdle for councils.
“Councils and developers will be forced into a drawn-out negotiation with Wellington bureaucrats to get funding, showing
how each new development meets whatever criteria this Government finally announces.
“Just like the so-called shovel ready projects, where a year later only a quarter have shovels in the ground, this looks
set to be another example of Labour’s inability to deliver.”