Govt committed to Auckland supply issue

In a speech to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Prime Minister John Key said there is no quick fix for Auckland’s longstanding housing supply issue.

But the government wants to play its part – along with the Council, developers and community organisations - in addressing it.

Key said it is encouraging to see a broader consensus emerging that the problem is a supply issue.

“We must continue lifting the supply of new houses in Auckland to meet the demands of this growing city.”

To this end, the government has been identifying surplus Crown land that can be freed up for new housing, as promised in last year’s Budget.

Although the process to date has been fraught, Key said the government will soon be in a position to make further announcements about the first projects.

He said the government is working with Auckland Council to free up more land – under initiatives like the Auckland Housing Accord – for housing.

Legislative moves to ensure the building pipeline can deliver much-needed houses as quickly as possible are also in the works.

Key said one of the government’s priorities is the reformation of the Resource Management Act to support more housing alongside better environmental management.

“It’s important we improve the RMA so we can tackle planning issues standing in the way of getting houses built faster.

“So if other groups say they’re concerned about Auckland housing, you should tell them they need to support the RMA reforms.”

Work to resolve issues such as infrastructure development and building sector capacity is also taking place, Key added.

However, in his view, progress is being made.

Building consents are at their highest level in over 11 years, while projects including the Hobsonville Point and Tamaki developments are estimated to deliver Auckland with at least 10,000 extra houses by 2020.

“The National Construction Pipeline Report predicts an extra 80,000 new homes will be built in Auckland in the six years to 2020 – more than double the rate of the preceding six years.”

In the speech, Key also announced government plans to bring forward spending and work on Auckland's transport infrastructure.

This includes the $2.5 billion city rail link and the $1 billion East/West Connections road project.

Key said it is important for all of New Zealand that Auckland succeeds as a great place to live and do business.

“It’s why we’re backing Auckland by investing billions of dollars in modern infrastructure.”

The transport infrastructure announcements have been welcomed across the board as they will help to address Auckland’s transport woes, improve CBD access and create jobs.