The Productivity Commission creates a compelling case
for bottom up, top down reform in its draft report released last
week on Using land for housing.
So far the only recommendation that Finance Minister
Bill English has ruled out is that central government's rating
exemption on Crown land should be abolished.
That leaves 37 recommendations still in play, at least
for now. Submissions are due by
4 August.
Scoping the problem
The Commission focused its inquiry on the territorial
authorities in New Zealand's ten fastest growing urban
areas.
It found that, compared to other countries, planning matters in
New Zealand are highly devolved. This devolution has given rise to
a "democratic deficit" in which homeowners exert
disproportionate influence over council decision-making, often to
conservative effect as they seek to protect the value of their
property (NIMBY-ism).
