Red tape adds to home costs, developers say
Bureaucratic red tape is adding about $80,000 to the cost of a new home in Hamilton, according to developers.
That's due to both local and national regulations, they say.
And now Hamilton City Council plans to remove a carrot for central city developments, Yeoman Homes may stop building CBD apartments, managing director Andrew Yeoman said.
Council plans to phase out a remission that effectively meant developers didn't have to pay development contributions on central-city projects.
"Red tape definitely adds $80,000 if not more to the cost of a house," Yeoman said. "But it's not all Hamilton City Council rules that make that up - a large amount of that is government regulations."
"In the 17 years I've been building, I'm just astounded at how much costs have increased.
Read more here.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.6% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
What would you do if it was your job to fix Hamilton's CBD?
More alcohol restrictions, more lighting, busking rule changes and a whole lot of lobbying - these are some ways Hamilton leaders want to sort out the CBD.
Crime and anti-social behaviour in the area has been in the spotlight after recent news of a man defecating in the street near a city pub and another who flipped tables out the back of a bar after being found scrounging cigarette butts and asked to leave.
What would you do if it was your job to fix Hamilton's CBD? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
It’s Riddle Time – You Might Need an Extra Cup of Coffee!
Nobody has ever walked this way. Which way is it?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
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