Mayor Vanessa van Uden has welcomed an approach from Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today to discuss the District being scheduled under the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Act 2013.

“Although we have different housing affordability issues to Auckland and Christchurch, the problems are nonetheless equally pressing for the development of the District given our high rate of population growth.”

Mayor van Uden said that the problem of having one of the highest median house prices in New Zealand was exacerbated by a median income level that was only approximately 84% of the national average.

“We need to ensure that there is both good quality rental stock for the more transient tourism workers, along with a good mix of high and medium density housing for the families who are settling here.”

Mayor van Uden said that while there was no silver bullet for the problem, mechanisms which helped create incentives for faster development projects; enable higher-density accommodation; and streamline consenting processes would be important steps in the right direction.

“Rapid population and economic growth is an enviable problem to have, but we must ensure our people can live here in the long-term, and so we look forward to working further with the Government on this proposal.

By: QLDC