Local Government New Zealand voices Building Bill concerns

Local Government New Zealand’s submission on the Building Bill 2003 has called for changes to the current Building Act that will benefit the local government sector. These were addressed in the oral presentation Local Government New Zealand gave to the Government Administration Select Committee today.

“We recognise that an overhaul of the current Building Act is necessary and our submission has addressed some of the technical issues. There are a number of matters missing from the Bill and we have also addressed these,” said Wynne Raymond, Mayor of Timaru District Council and Local Government New Zealand spokesperson for regulatory activity.

“The Bill in its current state fails to address a number of matters, including links to appropriate local government legislation like the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987. The Bill also fails to adequately address concerns about the disproportionate share of liability carried by local government.

“However, we have welcomed the changes to the Bill that place emphasis on the quality of inputs into building systems including: skills and behaviours, certified building materials, systems and techniques, accredited building consent authorities, and extensive information provision by the Building Industry Authority,” said Mayor Raymond.

The submission is now available on Local Government New Zealand’s website www.lgnz.co.nz

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