Government to set up independent economic umpire for urban land markets

The government will establish an independent economic umpire to ensure councils achieve competitive urban land markets through the new planning system. The body will be tasked with overseeing council performance and ensuring the objectives of the new planning framework are met in relation to urban land competition. The announcement was made in a Beehive Government Releases statement. The umpire is designed to provide independent scrutiny of local decision-making affecting urban land markets under the new planning arrangements.