1930 days ago

Christchurch City Council rules out rates discount for inner-city new home buyers

Jake Kenny Reporter from Community News

A rates discount for new home buyers in central Christchurch is off the table after being rejected as an incentive to lift inner-city population.

The Christchurch City Council has also ditched the idea of providing a shared-equity scheme for the central city over concerns it will be duplicated by similar programmes run by the Government.

The decisions come after a new long-awaited report into the supply and demand of central city homes found the council has little influence over construction and land costs, which have the biggest impact on the cost of housing. The report was due in July last year.

The council wants 20,000 people living within the four avenues by 2028. The latest estimates from Stats NZ​ has the population at 7170, up 8.3 per cent on the previous year.

About 230 homes have already been completed in the central city this year, another 41 are being built and 127 are consented but work has yet to start. By the end of the year, more homes will have been built in 2020 than in any other year for the past decade.

But the council still faces an uphill battle to reach its population target, with another 4500 homes needed over the next eight years.

The report found inner-city residential developers are hampered by land supply and quality issues, uncertain demand, strong competition from the suburbs and finance conditions.

“Buyers are value conscious and the central city does not currently offer value compared to the same-priced alternatives,” the report said.

Potential buyers believed they could get better value for money in the fringe suburbs close to the four avenues.

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More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?

Do you think you know the answer?

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.

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1 day ago

Scam Alert: Bank cold calls

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.

🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you’re unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.

Remember, banks will:​​
❌ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codes​​
❌ Never need to know your full credit card number – especially the CVC
❌ Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device​​
❌ Never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds.

If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.

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15 hours ago

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