Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt backs MP's crack at Invercargill City Council
Friday, 22 November 2019
Invercargill Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt has backed concerns the Clare Hadley-led city council is stifling development.
Shadbolt said major changes are required if the city was to go ahead and he will call for a review of the council's regulatory and building processes.
His comments follow Invercargill businessman Geoff Thomson and Invercargill MP Sarah Dowie suggesting this week that there were major problems at the Invercargill City Council, in terms of developers trying to work with council for consents.
Dowie believed Hadley, the city council's chief executive, had an 'over officious approach' which was holding Invercargill back.
When Shadbolt was asked on Friday if he felt those comments were warranted, Shadbolt took an almost unprecedented approach of siding with Dowie rather than his own council.
'I support the stand taken by our local MP and overwhelming sentiments from developers large and small, communicated directly to me.
'Major changes are required if our city is to go ahead,' Shadbolt said.
'It is my intention to call for a thorough independent review of our regulatory and building processes at our next full council meeting.
'We can't stand by and watch the city gain a reputation as being unworkable and hostile to progress.'
Hadley was unable to be reached for comment.
It was announced on Thursday that Thomson has pulled out of Invercargill's planned multi-million dollar city block development because he said he was 'sick of hitting a brick wall' when dealing with the council.
Thomson has been involved in development throughout the country and he believed the Invercargill council was the most difficult to work with.
Thomson had initially committed up to $25m for Invercargill's city block development project.
He had already spent about $4m and would leave that in the project. However Thomson said he would not contribute anymore money.
It has left HWCP Management Ltd - the company behind the CBD development - with a shortfall of $21m to find for stage one, two, and three of the project.
Thomson also resigned as an HWCP director.
Dowie has provided Stuff with a letter she sent to the Southland Chamber of Commerce last month.
She said it addressed builders and developers concerns around 'systemic issues' in dealing with both the Invercargill City Council and Southland District Council for building consents.
The letter was sent to the chamber to help add to 'your analysis when dealing with Local Government.'
The letter says builders and developers are eager for a more efficient streamlined consents process.
'Recently I met with local builders and developers who are feeling frustrated with the effectiveness of Invercargill City Council and/or Southland District Council in delivering the services mandated under the Resource Management Act 1991 and Building Act 2004,' Dowie's letter says.
'I have been advised there is a perception that councils have no accountability and the lengthy consent process is having a detrimental effect in meeting demand for housing in Southland.'