Housing Minister Chris Bishop has told real estate agents that the government wants to “flood the market” with opportunities for housing development.

It has agreed to a range of changes that would free up land for housing, and, the government hopes, make housing more affordable.

My rough summary of proposal:

• Most cities will be required to have zoned enough land for 30 years of housing demand all the time
• These cities won’t be allowed to determine urban/rural boundaries
• Must intensify, especially around major public transport routes. If they decide not to for character reasons, then equivalent capacity must be opened up in another area
• cafes, dairies, etc (mixed use) must be allowed in residential areas
• appartments not allowed to have minimum floor area or requirement for balcony set by council
• councils already intensifying under a previous agreement (MDRS) will keep this, but if they change it then they have to move to using new rules

Let me know if I’ve got something wrong!