Buyers to pay targeted rates

Moving into a new housing development may soon be less appealing for homeowners.

Under new Government plans to speed up infrastructure needed to get houses built, those who buy the homes will pay for it long term via targeted rates and volumetric charges.

In a joint announcement on July 23, Finance Minister Steven Joyce and Local Government Minister Anne Tolley unveiled plans to co-invest up to $600 million alongside local councils and private investors in network infrastructure for big new housing developments.

Existing infrastructure can only support construction of 2000 homes.

It is estimated water and roading investment of $201 million could increase capacity to service another 5500 houses.

Albany Ward councillor John Watson welcomed the ‘‘belated recognition’’ that additional infrastructure has to be in place to cope with the amount of growth in north Auckland.

He and fellow councillor Wayne Walker are hopeful there will be wider benefits to the roading network in the area.

‘‘The $89m in particular for the Curley Ave bridge will help traffic flow in and around Silverdale.

‘‘This will hopefully help take some traffic off Hibiscus Coast Highway and provide an alternative route into the the back of Silverdale.’’