Region’s housing requires an integrated future-focused infrastructure plan
by Joseph Mooney
MP for Southland and Shadow Spokesperson for Tourism
Housing affordability and accommodation availability are complex issues in the Queenstown-Lakes District. They can significantly impact the local economy, the success of businesses like yours and the health and well-being of communities in the region.
As a previous business owner in Queenstown, I know how important it is to be aware of the long-term sustainability of our region to ensure businesses remain profitable while creating jobs in their local communities.
Our sustainability goals should include a solid, future-focused housing infrastructure plan, requiring investment by local and central Government, as housing affordability and accommodation availability considerations directly affect decisions by people and families to come to live, work or visit the region.
If people can find affordable places to live, it can make it easier for businesses to attract and retain talented staff. Some business owners are already telling me that provision of worker accommodation as part of their business’ long-term workforce strategy has become critical to the survival of their business.
While the housing issues in the region is not new, and the Queenstown-Lakes district has been affected for decades, what has become apparent, is that finding timely solutions that address the complex root causes of the problem such as supply, choice, availability and quality, has become critical.
Addressing the root causes of the housing crisis will require a multi-faceted approach.
Over the past two years, I’ve spent considerable time talking to a diverse range of stakeholders seeking to understand the complexities of the problem and what can be done about it.
So what can we do about it? Businesses like yours, can play a crucial part in solutions. Some are already offering employee accommodation as part of their employment package. Other options could include exploring alternative housing solutions such as co-living spaces and modular housing for employees.
Partnering with local accommodation providers for discounted rental rates could help reduce the cost of employee accommodation, while connecting employees looking for housing with local providers is often valuable to people new to the area.
Actively participating and having your say in council-initiated or community discussions around housing development in our region particularly for affordable and social housing, is another way to help make a difference.
At local and central Government levels, potential solutions could be restoring interest deductibility for landlords to reduce costs and increase rentals supply, taking the bright-line test back to two years, unlocking Build-to-Rent developments, freeing up more land for housing with cheaper and faster resource consents processes, ensuring infrastructure funding and financing isn’t a barrier to new housing developments, a more competitive building materials market and making sure communities share in the benefits of housing growth.
I am hosting Chris Bishop MP, National’s Spokesperson for Housing, on 27 April public meeting at noon at the Salvation Army, 71 Gorge Road. We’ll also meet with accommodation providers, property developers and social services agencies on the day.
Tackling this problem requires a collaborative effort to ensure the long-term success of your business and our region, and I look forward to engaging with you more on this in the coming weeks and months.
