More than 8000 new homes are expected to be built in several centres around New Zealand as part of a new infrastructure investment. Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods announced in ?taki the new homes would be built across 20 years in Rotorua, ?mokoroa, Kaik?ura, ?taki, Napier, Gisborne and New Plymouth.
The Bay of Plenty is expected to reap the greatest rewards from the funding, with more than 5600 homes and $123 million in funding. In total, the Government planned to spend $179m nationally on infrastructure such as pipes and roads.
The Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF) was a component of the Government's $3.8 billion Housing Acceleration Fund announced in March 2021. It is a contestable fund of at least $1 billion and was launched on 30 June 2021.
Woods said key projects will include works such as extensive stormwater management in both Rotorua and Napier, a State Highway 2 intersection in ?mokoroa, and a local link road and cycleway in Kaik?ura.
Homes built will range from elderly housing, papak?inga, public, affordable and market housing.
Twenty-eight more projects were undergoing due diligence and negotiations which were expected to conclude in coming months. There had been enormous interest from regions wanting to build more housing but who needed funding support for it to be viable.
Rotorua would receive the majority of the funding, with almost $85 million to fund stormwater solutions. The Western Bay of Plenty's ?mokoroa will receive $38.4m. Rotorua Lakes Council expected this infrastructure to enable over 3000 dwellings.
Another $38.4m will fund a State highway 2 intersection upgrade in Western Bay of Plenty to provide safe access to the ?mokoroa peninsula and cater for the next 15 years of anticipated growth for the town.
Western Bay of Plenty mayor Garry Webber said it would enable up to 2500 homes, with a mix of standalone homes, affordable homes and medium-density housing. More than 1000 homes were expected to be enabled in ?taki in ten years from about $29.32m of the funding allocated. This was to upgrade water supply and roading.
Napier's Maraenui will receive $12.4m for flood management work which the Napier City Council believed will provide network capacity for an additional 400 new homes, including public and affordable. The only South Island centre to receive funding was Kaik?ura, where elderly housing was the focus. The district will receive $7.8m from the Infrastructure
The Taruheru catchment area in Gisborne will see a $4.2m IAF investment in key water supply, stormwater and roading upgrades. Gisborne District Council expected it will enable public, affordable and market housing, as well as a Toit? Tair?whiti Housing site for mana whenua housing and a wellness centre.
Six housing developments in Ferndale, New Plymouth, will receive about $1.8million for investment in upgrades to the water supply and transport options. The New Plymouth District Council believed it will allow for up to 300 new homes over the long-term, with multi-modal transport options.
Woods also announced that a review to modernise the Building Consent system is underway, with the public being invited to have their say. A better system will help transform the housing market, unlock productivity growth, stimulate urban development where it is needed, and make homes more affordable for all, she said.