Permanent independent hearings panel proposed for all urban planning

Permanent independent hearings panel proposed for all urban planning
Pattrick Smellie
By Pattrick Smellie Aug. 19 (BusinessDesk) - The Productivity Commission recommends creating a permanent independent hearings panel like the one that cut through local politics to settle Auckland’s Unitary Plan, for the whole country. The commission has published the interim report for its “Better Urban Planning” study and recommends “a permanent IHP be established to scrutinise proposed new council land use rules”. The interim report, which is open for public submissions, is the latest in a string of policy research projects since 200...