26 October 2021
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Government's new Housing Supply Bill
Enquiry
I am writing an article based on Labour and National's new housing policy, the Housing Supply Bill, which they say will help address the housing crisis by allowing as many as 105,500 new homes to be built in less than a decade.
The Government says the law will result in at least 48,200 and as many as 105,500 new homes built in the next five to eight years.
It would achieve this by allowing up to three homes of up to three storeys can be built on most sites without the need for a costly and frustrating resource consent.
My questions to the council are:
- What do you understand are the implications of the Housing Supply Bill, as drafted, for Rotorua?
- What will it mean for different entities, such as residents, developers, and councils?
- What benefits would it bring?
- What concerns may people have?
- Some councils, like Rotorua, may be required to implement the medium density standards if the Government considers there is an acute housing need. Do you think there is a need for Rotorua to go down that route and why/not?
- How would you describe the housing situation in Rotorua?
- What impact do you think this bill would have on those situations?
Response
From District Development DCE Jean-Paul Gaston:
While the Housing Supply Bill would provide an immediate mechanism to fast-track intensification work for Tier 1 Councils, it does also provide an opportunity for Rotorua to make a case to the Government to enable intensification ahead of the Plan Changes that our Council currently has in development.
The Bill signals that the Government recognises the acute need for housing across New Zealand, and that intervention is required to ensure more homes can be built faster. Rotorua Lakes Council has been working alongside the Government in the housing space for a number of years and we know we are in a housing crisis. Rotorua has a deficit of more than 1700 homes right now and according to population growth estimates, that need will increase to 6000 homes over the next decade.
Intensification will enable more housing, a greater mix of typologies, and in appropriate locations. We are starting to see the composition of households in Rotorua change. There will be need for smaller and low-maintenance type homes in medium to high density. The proposed changes, either through this Bill or via any District Plan changes, mean residents could have more choice about where they choose to live, more choice about how landowners use and develop their land, and more choice about how our community connects with the amenities and facilities we have in our city.
Council officers are carefully reviewing the Bill to determine whether a submission would be beneficial to Rotorua, and we continue to work towards District Plan changes and other housing related mahi to enable more homes to be built for our community.
More info:
- Rotorua is identified as a Tier 2 environment and the Housing Supply Bill is focussed on Tier 1 environments such as Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch.
Tier 2 councils could be required by Order in Council (OIC) to use the ISPP to adopt the MDRS if the area is experiencing acute housing need. Tier 2 councils can provide information to the Minister of Housing and the Minister for the Environment on their housing need to help determine whether they meet the criteria
Intensification Plan Change:
A scope of works is under development to consider an intensification plan change to align with the National Policy Statement – Urban Design for Tier 2 Councils. This will enable more housing, in a greater mix of typologies, and in appropriate locations. The plan change will also consider how we will ensure that we strive for a better quality in the urban form as the district grows up and out. In the inner city we could expect to see smaller housing typology over time in the form of apartments. By developing a plan to revitalise the inner city we anticipate the inner city will become more attractive for city living over time. Alongside the intensification plan change, we will be focussing on a flooding plan change to ensure RLC manages its flooding hazards, as intensification increases in flood prone areas.