Find Out What's Behind New Legislation

With the unceasing flow of new legislation impacting on the functions and operation of local authorities, there is a consistent need to comment upon and make submissions on new legislation.

This has now been made somewhat easier with the establishment of an administrative trial by the Parliamentary Counsel Office to provide online disclosure statements about bills and substantive supplementary order papers.

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Development Contributions Reform

Surgery Without Major Trauma

The Minister of Local Government has taken the knife to development contributions, and has managed not to kill the patient.

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Resource Management Act Reform Package

At the end of last week the Government unveiled the 2013 Resource Management Act Reform Package (the Reform Package) following the completion of consultation on the February discussion document: "Improving Our Resource Management System". The 2013 reform package will become a Resource Management Reform Bill (the Bill) to be introduced later in 2013.

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The Latest On Affordable Housing

The latest word on affordable housing is out. The Social Services Select Committee (Committee) completed its examination of the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill (Bill) on 31 July 2013, recommending by majority that it be passed with a number of amendments.

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Use Of Targeted Rate For Land Purchase

Local authorities should be re‑assured that sometimes the Courts can be persuaded to see the wood for the trees.

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Act in time for Local Elections in October

The Local Electoral Amendment Bill (No. 2) (Bill) passed its Third Reading on 25 June 2012 and received Royal assent on 28 June 2013.

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