Business for some builders is “the best it’s been for many years”
Taranaki remains busy amid the COVID-19 pandemic as building consents in the region increase, with one builder describing his business as “the best it’s been for many years.”
The building company Roger Prestidge Builder constructed seven new homes in 2020 and has five more on the books in 2021 and two “spec” units on vacant land. The increase in projects allowed the company to employ an apprentice, who works alongside five regular staff.
“It’s absolutely pumping. We’re on track for another busy year in 2021,” said owner Roger Prestidge, as reported by Stuff.
South Taranaki had a 63% increase in new housing consents, from 56 in 2019 to 96 last year. The district council also received consent applications for 84 new subdivisions last year compared to 59 in 2019, a 44% increase.
Stratford had 37 approved consents for new buildings and 45 for new subdivisions, compared to 27 and 38 in 2019, respectively.
South Taranaki District Council environmental services group manager Liam Dagg said the district’s building boom could last into 2022, with more houses being built on the subdivided land.
“Coming behind the wave of new building and houses is a wave of new lots, mainly residential in nature, that will see another phase of construction activity,” Dagg said, as reported by Stuff.
Stratford District Council environmental services director Blair Sutherland added that the building boom shows no signs of slowing down, and it was hard to know how long the level of activity would continue.
NPDC community and customer group manager Teresa Turner said the council was “very pleased with the large number of consents that were issued last year.”
“When COVID-19 struck, a key part of our $20 million ‘Back on Our Feet’ recovery plan was slashing fees to make the building process easier,” she said, as reported by Stuff.
The council proposed a new district plan as it expects the population to increase in the district.
“Our proposed new district plan provides more flexibility for people wanting to build. That might include changes to minimum lot sizes to support infill housing and help reduce sprawl,” Turner concluded.
