Date: 24 March 2008 Media Statement
Embargoed 2pm
Government slashes building industry red tape
Minister for Building and Construction, Shane Jones, today announced plans to slash red tape in the building industry
and provide simpler, more flexible consents process for starter homes.
“Less than two months (February 12) after I was directed by the Prime Minister to find ways to end the frustration and
delays in the consenting process, I have delivered a plan which I believe will greatly assist the Government’s housing
affordability package,” Mr Jones said today.
“My colleague Housing Minister Maryan Street has already announced a revised Welcome Home loans scheme and a
shared-equity plan to assist first home buyers which underlines this government’s commitment to the future.
“To ensure we have our eye firmly on the ball as a Government when it comes to making sure we are delivering for the
future, yesterday I announced that I will consider looking at proposals in the rental sector to the benefit of both
landlords and tenants.”
“Obviously I have on-going concerns that measures to deal with the systemic failures that led to leaky buildings
hangover are not undermined. However, there is a case for simplifying and streamlining the consents process.
“To that end I am proposing to do the following”:
• Simplifying the design and approval of simple starter homes through a code of compliance which will improve
flexibility of the regulatory framework and reduce costs of building a modest home. This will work provided the proposed
design is low risk and on sites that lack high risk features.
• “Multiple-use” consents for building work that is to be replicated on a large scale with potentially huge
efficiencies if developers (Group homes, volume builders) were able to apply for a building consent for a
project/dwelling which can be replicated elsewhere within a development/district, region or possibly nationwide.
Automatic consent will be given for each replication once the original design is consented.
• Reducing the number of building projects that need a mandatory Project Information Memoranda (PIM) by making a
PIM optional for internal renovations that do not alter the building envelope of non-historic buildings. For example,
shop fit-outs or removing internal walls to create an open-plan home.
• Reducing the number of building activities that require a building consent based on the level of risk involved,
primarily where work is minor.
• Working with local governments to:
1. Investigate the feasibility of a national on-line consenting facility.
2. Explore setting up regional consent processing units to pool expertise and process complex building consents.
3. Look at ways to improve collection and sharing of information on building products and product performance.
In addition, the department will look at the possibility of allowing for ”competent persons” to certify certain aspects
of their work as being building code compliant once the Licensed Building Practitioner LBP) scheme is sufficiently
bedded down. This could reduce building inspections to the ‘critical few’ for recognised professionals.
“These initiatives to streamline the consenting process are a result of a Government that has been listening and which
is now prepared to act,” Mr Jones said.
ends