The Advocacy team are extremely busy in the lead up to Christmas, with many national and regional submissions on the go. You can read about our industry leadership and advocacy work on the go below.
- Building (Earthquake-prone Building Deadlines and Other Matters) Amendment Act
- MBIE survey on Earthquake Prone Buildings
- Update on Auckland Council’s Development Contributions Policy 2025 Consultation
- Property Council calls for independent auditor for development contribution fees
- Major new planning rules approved for Christchurch
- Recent submissions.
The more you know: Building (Earthquake-prone Building Deadlines and Other Matters) Amendment Act
The Building (Earthquake-prone Building Deadlines and Other Matters) Amendment Act came into effect on 26 November 2024. The Act includes an extension of remediation deadlines for earthquake-prone buildings, strengthening of the building warrant of fitness scheme and other minor technical changes.
Property Council welcomes the extension as we know the significant time and cost needed to undertake seismic strengthening. An extension will help property owners to meet such works.
MBIE survey on Earthquake Prone Buildings
As part of the Government’s review into the management of seismic risk in existing buildings, MBIE is running a survey on how effective the current system is for managing risk. If you are interested in providing feedback to MBIE or learning more about the review, please click here.
Please note that the information provided by you may become publicly available under a request made pursuant to the Official Information Act 1982.
Update on Auckland Council’s Development Contributions Policy 2025 Consultation
Property Council have been notified by Auckland Council that they have extended the timeframe for deciding on their Development Contributions Policy 2025. This was due to be made in February 2025, but this will now occur in April 2025. The reason given for this is to ensure officers can review and potentially address matters raised in submissions. We will continue to keep members informed of progress on this important issue.
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Terry Jones, Senior Advocacy Advisor, via email: terry@propertynz.co.nz or phone: 027 338 0694.
Property Council calls for independent auditor for development contribution fees
Property Council’s recent submission to Auckland Council on their Development Contributions Policy 2025 strongly advocated for an independent development contributions auditor due to ongoing year-on-year concerns around the complexity of content, the uncertainty the sector faces with frequent and large increases, and the accuracy of line item pricing (especially when it is now projected 30 years in advance).
It makes sense to us that the government pick this matter up for all Councils, not just Auckland, and bring some rigour and trust back to the Development Contribution process. The idea of a Development Contribution auditor (or regulator) is just one of many we advocate for on your behalf. Read the full submission.
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Terry Jones, Senior Advocacy Advisor, via email: terry@propertynz.co.nz or phone: 027 338 0694.
Major new planning rules approved for Christchurch
Last week, Christchurch City Council decided on 58 recommendations made by the Independent Hearings Panel under Plan Change 14. This means that almost 40 commercial centres and their surrounds will see zoning changes under the District Plan, including Riccarton, Belfast and Linwood.
The Council was only required to make decisions that related to policies 3 and 4 of the Government’s National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD), which require greater building development within and around the central city, suburban commercial centres and planned high-frequency and high-capacity public transport routes. Decisions beyond those two policies do not need to be made until the end of next year.
Click here to find out which recommendations were decided on. We will continue to watch this space and keep our members updated.
Recent submissions
- Submission on the draft Ōtautahi Christchurch Future Transport strategy 2024-54
- Submission on Auckland Council’s Draft Southern Rural Strategy
- Submission on increasing the use of remote inspections in the building consent process
- Submission Auckland Council’s Draft Contributions Policy 2025
- Building (Overseas Building Products, Standards, and Certification Schemes) Amendment Bill