Queenstown council throws out affordable housing levy

Queenstown council throws out affordable housing levy
The Queenstown Lakes District Council proposed charging developers 5% to help provide affordable houses. (Image: NZME)
Maria Slade
Queenstown has voted against becoming the first council in the country to require developers to contribute to affordable housing.The Queenstown Lakes District Council had proposed charging a 5% fee on new subdivisions, either money or land, to help deliver more affordable homes in its pricey property market.Community groups have long advocated for the mechanism known as inclusionary housing.However, the council voted on Thursday to withdraw the proposed variation to its district plan.It followed the recommendations of an independent hearing pan...

More Infrastructure

‘Bluewater backbone’: Lyttelton, Auckland ports plan $1b+ of upgrades
Policy

‘Bluewater backbone’: Lyttelton, Auckland ports plan $1b+ of upgrades

Two of the biggest NZ ports are raising prices as they plan major investments.

Oliver Lewis 02 Jul 2025
Cost of Ōtaki to north of Levin highway nears $2b
Infrastructure

Cost of Ōtaki to north of Levin highway nears $2b

In 2020, the lower North Island expressway was costed at just $817m.

Oliver Lewis 01 Jul 2025
'There are some firms in NZ I won’t touch'
Policy

'There are some firms in NZ I won’t touch'

Adam Feeley on the reluctance to call out poor performers in NZ infrastructure sector.

Oliver Lewis 30 Jun 2025
Food scrap U-turn chills waste sector investment
Infrastructure

Food scrap U-turn chills waste sector investment

The Government’s backtrack on the food waste mandate undermines investor confidence.

Cécile Meier 30 Jun 2025