Government accreditation programme fees too high says Local Government New Zealand
12 October 2006
Local Government New Zealand is questioning the proposed fees of a compulsory accreditation programme for council
building consent functions announced by the Minister of Building Issues today. The cost for local government is
estimated at $2.3 million by November 2007 and $1.8 million every two years after that.
The Government has allocated $3million to assist regional councils and territorial authorities to prepare for
accreditation. This funding will be available for training, support and advice.
Basil Morrison, President of Local Government New Zealand, congratulates the Government in recognising and contributing
the funding to assist with the investment councils are making in enhancing the capability in building services.
“There is value and benefit in having an accreditation programme and a common standard to assist with consistency of
building services across the sector. However, I am concerned about the extra expense that will be imposed on councils
through the accreditation process which the Government proposes to operate on a full cost recovery basis.”
“We are not disputing the value of a programme like this but we are questioning the costs associated with it and why
these costs should fall on councils and ultimately, ratepayers and residents.
“Councils will have to determine how these costs will be passed onto consumers, whether that is shared amongst all
ratepayers or whether it is born solely by building consent applicants. The approach to charging councils suggests that
councils gain all of the benefits. As part of a comprehensive new building regime, a fairer system would be to share the
costs across all sectors who will benefit – councils, industry, consumers, and of course the public represented by the
Government,” says Mr Morrison.
Local Government New Zealand will be preparing a sector response on the proposal and expects strong interest from
councils on the issue.
ENDS