Using vacant land

Why are there dozens of large blocks of undeveloped inner-city land, when the Wellington region needs so many new residential dwellings? Combined, these sites would create dozens of apartment buildings and townhouse developments. These sites are already connected to water, sewerage, and electricity. They are in the heart of Wellington. Turning these sites into residential units would place little extra burden on Wellington’s strained transport network.

The corporate owners of these sites claim to have plans for them, yet many have been left vacant or derelict for close to 10 years, in some cases even longer.

The Wellington City Council needs to take action. By adding a new council rate on such undeveloped sites, the owners would be incentivised to develop, or sell to someone who will. The money raised by this new council rate could be used to improve and increase social housing.

The housing crisis would be alleviated. Transport into the CBD would be unaffected. Developers would see big benefits. The city would look better. The only financial losers would be the current owners of these sites. Owners who could afford, and did afford, to keep these sites undeveloped for years while thousands of families are left homeless. PETER WEBB Pipitea