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Roads in, social housing out as Government forces councils 'back to basics'

The article from the New Zealand Herald discusses the New Zealand Government's decision to refocus local councils on core infrastructure like roads, water, and waste management, while reducing their involvement in social housing. This policy shift, announced by Local Government Minister Simeon Brown, aims to streamline council responsibilities, emphasizing that councils should prioritize essential services over what is considered non-core activities like social housing. The government's move is part of a broader strategy to address what they perceive as mission creep in local government functions. Critics argue this could lead to a reduction in community services, potentially affecting the most vulnerable populations. The policy change also includes a review of the 2019 Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act, suggesting a reevaluation of how infrastructure projects are funded, potentially moving away from public-private partnerships towards more traditional funding methods.

Read the Full The New Zealand Herald Article at:
[ https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/roads-in-social-housing-out-as-government-forces-councils-back-to-basics/2LP4BFXG45AFFALIOWW5BSDNC4/ ]