Landbankers could have property seized by the Government if the land is within certain areas marked for housing development. He also signalled the Government was considering another big measure - to establish Urban Development Authorities (UDAs) - for specific areas of high housing need. Prime Minister John Key announced a new $1 billion fund to fast-track infrastructure development by councils with high new housing demand. The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) had shown the Government's previous approach to urban development was "very authoritarian and top-down", Mr Shaw said. Labour MP and mayoral candidate Phil Goff said the infrastructure fund was much less than needed, but welcome.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 03, 2016 04:52 UTC