The leader of the National (New Zealand National Party), Simon Bridges, is reported to be scaling up efforts in order to woo the collapsing NZ construction industry. If sources are to be believed, the doyen of the NZ-based center-right political party plans to resurrect the construction domain with the promise of new planning reforms and infrastructural development projects.
Speaking with regards to the government’s efforts, Bridges, at the Constructive conference in Wellington, took the liberty to state that the government’s mass house building project is supposedly going nowhere. On the other hand, the National would work toward reforming the Resource Management Act, he said, adding that the party would also find ways to lend support to the government if any of its strategies regarding construction and infrastructure seem beneficial.
For the record, the Resource Management Act encompasses reforms that were legalized in 2011, but failed later, post which they were thwarted by the opposition party in ruling back then.
Incidentally, Bridges has so far not outlined any rigid plans for the construction sector. He has however, mentioned that they would circulate around speeding up consenting, thereby assuring a reliable infrastructure pipeline in addition to getting councils on board.
In response to Bridges’ comments, Urban Development Minister, Phil Twyford, was quoted stating that making amendments to RMA’s legislation wouldn’t exactly solve the country’s construction crisis. He went on to outline the government’s Kiwibuild plans and infrastructural development project pipeline.
Twyford also elucidated the significance of the Urban Development Authority, designed to masterplan new communities and collaborate with companies for risky construction projects.
As per sources, both, the National and the NZ government have worked hard to resolve the glitches of the regional construction industry that faced a plethora of obstacles including the sale of Hawkins Construction, the nation’s second biggest player and the fall-out of Ebert Construction. It remains to be seen however, whether New Zealand’s failing construction industry would be bought back into action by the National or the government.