Catch up on the latest Property Council advocacy and submissions for property in Aotearoa New Zealand:
Resource Management
The Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill will make it optional for councils to implement the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS). The Bill also seeks to make amendments to natural hazards by reinforcing council’s ability to decline land use consents or impose conditions when significant natural hazards are present. The new natural hazard provisions will take immediate legal effect.
Property Council’s submission will support the direction of the Bill, but request that councils complete plan changes as soon as possible with no further extensions being granted. We support the Bill’s Streamlined Planning Process (SPP) as a mechanism to make MDRS decisions and more quickly provide certainty for the property sector. We also share concerns around natural hazards taking immediate effect and the impact this may have on development.
Submissions are due 10 February, to read our submission please contact Senior Advocacy Advisor, Sandamali Ambepitiya, Sandamali@propertynz.co.nz.
Fast Track Approvals Act 2024 – new applications open from 7 February 2025
As you might have seen, the Fast-track Approvals Act became law on 17 December 2024. Click here to read the Act.
The purpose of the Act is to facilitate the delivery of infrastructure and development projects with significant regional or national benefits. The new Fast-track process will open for applications on February 7, 2025. Please click here to access the Fast-track website (note: this is website is only available from February 7, 2025).
We look forward to seeing how the new Fast-track process progresses over the coming months.
Insulation
The Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) are consulting on insulation requirements in housing and other buildings – H1 Energy Efficiency requirements. There are three current methods used to see if a building meets the H1 requirements under the Building Code:
- Schedule Method – a ‘one size fits all’ perspective table of insulation values.
- The Calculation Method – a semi-flexible range of insulation values that can be ‘mixed and matched’ to suit the design.
- Modelling Method – a fully flexible insulation design based on computer simulation of energy efficiency.
MBIEs consultation is designed to understand what adjustments could be made to these models to improve flexibility, upfront costs and long-term benefits. MBIE also want to understand the needs of the building design sector to improve the management of internal moisture and overheating risks in buildings.
If you would like to review a copy of Property Council’s draft submissions or to find out more, please contact Senior Advocacy Advisor, Sandamali Ambepitiya, Sandamali@propertynz.co.nz.
Plan Change 14 to the Hamilton Operative District Plan
Hamilton City Council (HCC) are consulting on their Plan Change 14 to the Hamilton Operative District Plan. This covers how flood hazards are managed using new flood modelling data that maps the entire city. This impacts on what development can take place in Hamilton.
Submissions are due 28 February, to find out more please contact Head of Advocacy, Katherine Wilson, katherine@propertynz.co.nz
Nelson Tasman Urban Design Panel – Call for nominations
Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council are seeking panellist nominations from built-environment professionals for the Nelson Tasman Urban Design Panel.
This is an open call to professionals who are passionate about urban design in Nelson Tasman and contribute their skills and expertise as part of the Panel providing independent design review.
For further information, including on how to apply, please click the link here.
Call for Nominations closes 21 February 2025.
Recent submissions
- Submission on the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission’s ‘Testing our thinking: Developing an enduring National Infrastructure Plan’ discussion paper
- 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