A new $1 billion fund to fast-track infrastructure development by councils could do much to solve the growing problem of housing affordability in this country.
Prime Minister John Key says the fund will be available to councils with high new housing demands such as Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Christchurch and Queenstown.
They are the cities expected to have more than 10 per cent population growth in the next 10 years.
The fund will own or finance the infrastructure until the councils receive rates revenue from the new houses.
The Government is also considering another big measure - to establish Urban Development Authorities for areas of high housing need, which would have the power to override barriers to large-scale development which could include responsibility for planning and consenting.