Environmental health fees increase followed extensive consultation
Increases in Auckland City environmental health fees earlier this month followed extensive consultation with affected
businesses.
A special consultative process was carried out by Auckland City which involved public notification of the fees increase
and individual letters sent to the 4,200 affected businesses inviting submissions on proposed increases.
Only 12 submissions were received on the proposed changes and two submitters attended a public hearing.
Auckland City uses a comprehensive grading system for food premises which ensures a high level of health standard is
reached and maintained. This system reflects the extent to which premises meet specified health and safety requirements.
Fees are higher for low grade premises than for high grade premises, and licence holders are able to minimise their fees
by attaining an ‘A’ grade.
Auckland City has reviewed its cost structure in terms of operating a more sustainable cost recovery system. The new fee
structure includes all costs associated with running the environmental health function and reflects both the associated
risk of different business types and premises grading.
Environmental health fees apply to a range of business types including restaurants, hairdressers, camping grounds and
amusement galleries.