CLG DIALOGUE WITH GOVERNMENT ON THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT


1. The construction industry employs more than 115,000 people and contributes around $10 billion annually to GDP.


2. New Zealand relies upon the buildings, structures and civil engineering works, which the construction sector produces. They provide shelter, facilitate transport, and define communities in which we live and work. They are essential infrastructure for processing, temporary storage and transport to market of most of our value-added export product, and determine the viability of the nation as a tourism destination. The construction industry is also a significant exporter in its own right.


3. The CLG recognises the significant effect that the built environment has on social and cultural well- being. It is also important therefore that the built environment preserves and enhances quality of life for all New Zealanders.


4. In recent years a number of governments around the world have established policy aimed at ensuring that standards of quality of the built environment are maintained or enhanced. Such policy statements include the following:

· Optimisation of the use of limited resources in the creation of the built environment.

  • The development of a built environment that complements the natural environment.
  • The promotion of research that develops understanding of the various mechanisms that may be used to deliver a quality built environment, and their appropriate applications.
  • Recognition of the built environment as an expression of culture.
  • Recognition of the value and benefits of design and construction excellence to the occupants, users and owners of all components of the built environment.
  • The establishment of requirements that reflect built environment strategic objectives in all legislation affecting the built and natural environment.
5. The Construction Liaison Group believes that a vision for the built environment needs to be articulated.

6. What remains unanswered are fundamentally important questions relating to process. The Group would like to assist Government in determining what core values should be represented in the built environment and how these values should be relied upon in deciding optimum outcomes.