4. Question No. 4—HousingANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of HousingQuestion No. 4—Housing4. ANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of Housing: What actions has the Government taken recently to address the housing infrastructure shortage?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Housing): We have announced the second tranche of our Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF) for housing infrastructure projects: $192 million will fund critical infrastructure projects in our regional towns and cities unlocking up to 11500 new homes. These investments provide the critical infrastructure for new housing developments over the next 10 to 15 years including public affordable market and papa kāinga housing while also improving our climate resilience.Ginny Andersen: What infrastructure does this funding enable in the mighty Hutt Valley?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: The RiverLink and Valley Floor intensification project will receive $98.9 million for major stormwater upgrades including approximately 2 kilometres of new stormwater pipeline pumping stations and outfalls. As part of a wider network response Hutt City Council believes the infrastructure will unlock development and provide capacity for around 3500 new homes.Angie Warren-Clark: What other areas are set to benefit from the second announcement of the IAF—Infrastructure Acceleration Fund?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Eight projects were approved for funding for infrastructure in the second round of funding spread across the country: $36 million to support the intensification of Nelson's central city $24 million for three waters infrastructure in Lake Hāwea $18.5 million investment in Hastings will improve road access and resolve capacity constraints in the district's waste-water network $5.7 million for transport and three waters projects in Rangiora $1.2 million in Motueka for stormwater upgrades and a new roundabout that will enable housing and $1.9 million for an extension of Carson Street in the Whanganui suburb of Castlecliff.Angie Warren-Clark: What is the average cost per dwelling for this tranche of IAF projects?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: The amount of funding per dwelling ranges from $4385 per dwelling in the Waimakariri district to $35512 in Nelson city. The average funding per dwelling is $16744. The lesson here is that a Government-determined cost per dwelling is not the right approach; instead a more nuanced approach that takes into account the specifics of the location and the project is required.Angie Warren-Clark: When will this IAF funding have an impact?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: The IAF is a medium-term intervention that is funding core infrastructure works across the country that will enable housing. With funding agreements now signed we will see physical works commence in the very near future. For example New Plymouth will commence over the coming weeks and Ōmokoroa by the end of this year.Angie Warren-Clark: What feedback has she seen on tranche two of the IAF?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Nelson's outgoing mayor Rachel Reese said that this was a game-changer for Nelson: This grant funding is a massive financial saving to Nelson and will have a positive impact on our City Centre for generations to come." In Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the funding will help address the region's housing shortage: "This investment unlocks further capability to address what is a long-term issue and we are grateful for the Government's ongoing commitment and partnership to enable our community to have a place to call home". In the Hutt Valley mayor Campbell Barry has said the funding for the RiverLink "is a significant gain for [the] Lower Hutt as it will enable us to undertake desperately needed infrastructure investment to support the building of new homes as part of RiverLink and on our valley floor"."