12. Hon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) Link to this
to the Minister for Building and Construction
Who does he hold responsible for the current problems in the building consent process that, according to the Prime Minister yesterday, are “adding unreasonably to the costs of building a house”?
Hon MARYAN STREET (Minister of Housing) Link to this
There are several parties involved in the building consent process, and the Government is actively working with councils through accreditation to improve systems, reduce delays, and help to deliver a better service to consent applicants.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
When the Wellington City Council noted that “A typical house plan 4 years ago was three A3 size plans and 30 … pages”, and that now builders are required to file 12 A3 size plans and up to 300 pages, why did the Minister in November dismiss those concerns, saying that the building consent process was going “swimmingly well”; what has changed between November and now for the Government to change its mind?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
It may be worth going back a little bit to answer this question adequately. In fact, the Building Act 1991 was a product of a failed system that allowed a number of homeowners to be absolutely penalised for inadequate quality and professionalism in the building sector. The leaky home owners are the people I would invite that member to talk to if he disagrees with the establishment of the Building Act as it currently exists.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Will the Government be reviewing its decision in 2002 to change the law on development levies, which has seen the cost per section go from $8,000 to $24,000, and its decision in 2005 to treble the building levy, both of which have contributed to the record fall in homeownership and the crisis in home affordability; if not, why not?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
If the solution to housing affordability was as simple as that, then we might consider doing that. However, the issue is much more complex than simply the building consent processes alone, building costs alone, or the interest rates prevailing at the moment alone. It is a complex question.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Why was it credible for the Prime Minister to tell the Parliament yesterday that the Government will begin by “simplifying the design and building consent processes”, when the Government’s own Building Act 2004 has 19 sections, which are yet to take effect, that will require a person, when lodging a building consent, to list in detail the up to 13 different licensed building practitioners involved in the building project; can she explain how that will simplify the building consent process?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
It is entirely credible to say that. If we are looking at ways of standardising plans and standardising approved designs that meet the requirements of the Building Act, then that is something that can be done, and it is something that we are advancing with speed in order to address those issues.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Is John Key not right in describing the Prime Minister’s statement yesterday—[ Interruption] Is John Key not right in describing—[ Interruption] Madam Speaker, you would probably have thrown me out well before this time for that.
Madam SPEAKERI ask for order. Members will be asked to leave the Chamber. Would the member please proceed with his question.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Is John Key not right in describing the Prime Minister’s statement yesterday as “vacuous” when her own Government has been responsible for adding to the very cost of building that she now complains of, when the Government has not been able to provide any detail of how it will either simplify or reduce the costs of designing homes and consenting to their construction, and when its own legislation, both that currently before the House and past legislation, is set to substantially add to the already $30,000 of unnecessary costs identified by the Registered Master Builders Federation?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
No, Mr Key is not right. The purpose of the Building Act is to ensure that the quality of homes that New Zealanders get, and should expect, is maintained. There are ways that we can ensure that affordable houses are made to designs that comply with the provisions of the Building Act, and that meet all the requirements of a first home buyer for a modest, sound, sustainable, quality house.