Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is supporting calls for the country's government to pause and review referrals of fast-track housing projects, saying that some of those projects are placing "enormous strain" on existing infrastructure, according to a Sunday statement.
LGNZ, a body that represents local and regional authorities in New Zealand, outlined a four-point plan to help maintain public confidence in fast-track housing.
It welcomed the government's recent commitment to alter the framework for development contributions to enable councils to recover more of the costs from fast-tracked housing projects, but said those changes should be extended to include projects that have already applied for fast-track consideration.
LGNZ further urged the government to consider the cumulative effect multiple projects could have on a given area, and undertake a longer-term review of fast-track housing's role.
It argued that under the current system, developments can proceed "without regard for local housing or infrastructure capacity, while existing ratepayers are left footing the bill."
In response to a query from, New Zealand Minister of Housing Chris Bishop said LGNZ's claims are "well ahead of the facts."
"Only a small number of housing development projects have received final approval through fast-track, and none are past the early stages of construction," Bishop said. "It is therefore difficult to understand the basis for claims that fast-track developments are already placing 'enormous strain' on existing infrastructure or leaving ratepayers to pick up the bill," the minister added.