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 System Reform
Sandamali Ambepitiya has led Property Council New Zealand’s work on the Building System Reform. We’ve held a workshop with our Building Systems Taskforce to develop ideas on what the future of New Zealand’s consenting system could be. We hope to take our ideas to the Ministries and Minister in the coming weeks.
Also in the Building System Reform space is the Building (Overseas Building Products, Standards, and Certification Schemes) Amendment Bill. This Bill responds to competition issues in the sector by amending the Building Act 2004 to remove barriers to overseas building products entering New Zealand’s building product market and being used in New Zealand buildings. Property Council will be making a submission on 14 November 2024.
Also in the mix, is the Governments recent announcement to streamline the building consent system with remote inspections. The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment is seeking feedback on a range of options to increase the uptake of remote inspections and improve efficiency and productivity in the inspection process. This aims to help deliver the Government’s objectives to increase housing supply by lifting efficiency and competition in the building system, removing regulatory barriers and driving down costs. Property Council will be making a submission on 29 November 2024.
Lastly, there is consultation underway on Building Code fire safety review 2024. This seeks feedback on fire safety requirements in the Building Code to offer better protection from fire for people and property. Property Council will not be submitting on this due to the very detailed nature of the consultation and encourages our members to make an individual submission.
Contact Sandamali Ambepitiya Sandamali@propertynz.co.nz for more information.
National Infrastructure Plan
The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga is currently working on a National Infrastructure Plan of New Zealand’s infrastructure needs and priorities for the short, medium and long term. The plan will cover roads, schools, hospitals, water, networks and more.
As part of the National Infrastructure Plan, the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission is hosting a workshop on Friday 15 November to test their thinking. If you are interested, you can register for the workshop here.
Property Council will be making a submission on 10 December 2024.
Contact Terry Jones Terry@propertynz.co.nz for more information.
Auckland submissions
The consultation on Auckland Council’s Proposed Development Contributions (DC) Policy 2025 has been released. This policy sets out the Council’s plans to deliver infrastructure to investment priority areas (IPAs) over 30 years, and the contribution developers are expected to pay. Property Council will be making an oral submission on 14 November and a written submission on 15 November.
Auckland Council has released a consultation document on the Southern Rural Strategy. The draft Southern Rural Strategy is a long-term development and growth plan for rural areas in southern Auckland as a sub-set of Auckland’s Future Development Strategy. It will drive long-term growth in the Franklin ward and includes some rural land from the Howick and Papakura local board areas. Property Council will be making a submission on 26 November 2024.
Contact Terry Jones Terry@propertynz.co.nz for more information.
South Island submissions
Christchurch City Council has released consultation on Ōtautahi Christchurch Future Transport. This consultation is seeking feedback on a 30-year strategy for getting around Christchurch. It also sets out six goals within the strategy:
- Goal 1: Well-managed transport assets
- Goal 2: A more resilient transport network
- Goal 3: A safer transport network
- Goal 4: An efficient transport network
- Goal 5: Genuine transport choice for everyone
- Goal 6: A vibrant, healthy and liveable city.
Property Council will be making a submission on 8 December 2024.