Prime Minister John Key has announced a new $1 billion fund to fast-track infrastructure development by councils with high new housing demands. He said the Housing Infrastructure Fund would accelerate the short and medium term supply of new housing where it was needed most. Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker said growth councils had been pushing for an infrastructure fund, and she also welcomed the possibility of UDAs. Hamilton had land available now that could accommodate three years of the necessary housing supply, Ms Hardaker said - but it couldn't control how quickly developers built. "We will not allow unresponsive planning and slow infrastructure development to lock New Zealanders out of much-needed housing."

Source: New Zealand Herald July 02, 2016 23:53 UTC