Government backs fast-track Urban Development Authorities to ease growing pains

Government backs fast-track Urban Development Authorities to ease growing pains
Pattrick Smellie
By Pattrick Smellie Feb. 14 (BusinessDesk) - Locally controlled urban development authorities (UDAs) with compulsory land acquisition powers and fast-tracked resource consent processes are the latest weapon the government is preparing to fight the slow speed of new city housing and infrastructure development. Building and Construction Minister Nick Smith today released a public consultation document on legislation allowing UDAs to be established to help enable the goals of last year's National Policy Statement on Urban Development, whose...