Latest news with #BuildingAct
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Stratford District Council Rates Increase For 2025/26 Stays On Track From Long Term Plan Forecast
Stratford District Council (SDC) has adopted its Annual Plan 2025/26 with an average rates increase of 6.9%. Chief Executive Sven Hanne says, 'After a period of significant project delivery, as well as significant cost increases across most of our operations as a result of record-high inflation, things are now starting to look a bit more settled, and this is apparent in our annual planning for 2025/26.' 'While there are still some unders and overs in the individual budgets, we're pleased to have been able to maintain the overall rates increase for this Annual Plan at 6.9% as originally forecast in year 2 of the Long Term Plan 2024-2034,' says Sven. The Long Term Plan 2024-34 adopted a streamlined approach to the delivery of council services, in recognition of the strained economic environment and a significant reduction in external funding available to council. The Annual Plan 2025/26 realises that vision, with the next 12 months focused on maintaining existing infrastructure and continuing to replace assets when they come to the end of their life. 'It's about being realistic and prioritising our core service areas,' says Sven. 'Two notable exceptions from this will be the upgrade of Prospero Place, Stratford's town square, and the extension of Council's residential subdivision,' he says. The Prospero Place project has been a few years in the making and is now in full flight with draft plans being share with the community this month, and work expected to begin before the end of the calendar year. The residential subdvision is a continuation of the previous council subdivision off Pembroke Road with 2025/26 focused on preparing the site for the delivery of infrastructure, such as roading, water and wastewater. Progressing the outcome of the Local Water Done Well reforms will also be a key area of attention for SDC staff and elected members alike. Both options being consulted on in May 2025 will require additional work across the 2025/26 year, with financial investment from the following year, 2026/27. Outside of Local Water Done Well, SDC is awaiting the outcomes of the Resource Management Act and changes to the Building Act. These are likely to have a big influence on the way all councils operate in the regulatory space, setting a new direction for the delivery of consenting and building services. As part of the Annual Plan adoption, minor changes were made to the Fees and Charges Schedule across building services, parking, solid waste, and sale and supply of alcohol. The full Fees & Charges schedule is available here. Mayor Neil Volzke says, 'We have a lot to be proud of here, in the Stratford district, and we want to keep that feeling alive. Elected Members will continue to work hard to maintain a balanced and realistic approach that manages the needs and wants of our community against our financial performance. Finding that sweet spot, that we believe will result in positive outcomes for the whole community, is what democracy is all about.' The Annual Plan 2025/26 will come into effect from 1 July 2025. View the full plan online here: How much rates you pay can depend on a number of things like: The value of your property The services your property receives (water supply, wastewater or solid waste collection) How many dwellings are on the property View our sample rates on page 14 and 15 of the Annual Plan 2025/26.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Fees For Developers Under Review
Kaipara District Council has reviewed its Development Contributions Policy and is seeking feedback on the proposed changes. The Development Contributions Policy outlines fees charged to developers to help offset the impact of their development. Development contribution fees are spent on infrastructure including roading, wastewater and stormwater services in the district. Kaipara District Council Mayor Craig Jepson noted that getting the Development Contribution Policy right is vital for the district. 'It's important we regularly review our Development Contributions in balance with changing costs incurred by development. Kaipara is the place to be and we want to attract people to Kaipara without detrimentally impacting our current residents. I want to acknowledge our staff who worked hard to pull together this Proposed Policy and look forward to hearing from our community.' The proposed amendments to the Policy ensures that Council recovers an appropriate share of the costs of investment from new developments. The Proposed Policy will see an increase in development contribution fees for most areas in the district while Baylys Beach fees will reduce. Costs to improve infrastructure or build new infrastructure to cater for the projected growth of each area was used to determine the new fees. Development Contribution fees may be required when: a resource consent is granted under the RMA for subdivision and land use applications, a building consent or certificate of acceptance is granted under the Building Act or an authorisation for a service connection is granted. The new fees are only applicable to developments that lodge their applications after the new Policy is declared operative. Consultation opens Tuesday 3 June and runs through to Tuesday 24 June. Visit to view the proposed policy and give feedback.
1News
5 days ago
- Business
- 1News
New private building consent authority launches
A new private building consent service has launched, promising to cut waiting times and costs with faster approvals for "low-risk" house-building projects. Building Consent Approvals will become the country's first independent residential building consent authority (BCA). Operating nationally, it promises to soon be able to issue consents within 10 working days for eligible residential projects. The privately-owned company has been accredited and registered as an independent Building Consent Authority and reviewed by International Accreditation New Zealand to ensure compliance with Building Act regulations. It has been assessed against the same legislation as all council BCAs. ADVERTISEMENT The new service was launched this morning by South Island Minister James Meager in Selwyn. He emphasised that the new consent authority was subject to the same standards as councils. "For a region like Selwyn, I can't think of a better place to launch something like this, one of the fastest growing regions in the country, along with places like Central Otago down south as well," he said. "In terms of the accreditation and the approval process, it's quite a rigorous, thorough process to go through. The authorities are going to have the same oversight that councils are subject to in terms of the responsibilities and obligations under the Building Act." Meager said giving consumers "choice" would help people not only save money but also potentially time on building projects. Building Consent Approvals chairman Tony Sewell said the service will focus on "low-risk residential housing, notably single-storey homes, rather than large or complex buildings". Builders fixing up a property. (Source: "With BCA focused on low-risk residential housing, it will take the pressure off local body workloads so they can concentrate on commercial, retail, apartment buildings and more complex, higher risk projects," he said in a media release. ADVERTISEMENT "Our goal is to make the building consent process faster, easier and cheaper. Our approach will support the rapid delivery of quality homes, particularly in high-growth areas like Selwyn and Christchurch, where housing demand continues to surge." The company said it had full civil liability coverage for its activities, providing assurance to homeowners, developers and councils. "As a government-approved, accredited co-regulator, our role is to ensure building risk, quality and civil liability responsibilities are covered," Sewell said. The Building Act has allowed for independent building consent authorities to enter the market since 2004, as an alternative service to what's provided by local councils. A construction site featuring an unfinished modern house (file image). (Source: It comes as Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk, who was unable to attend today's launch due to weather, has pushed to accelerate building projects. Last month, the Government announced it would bring in a new scheme allowing trusted builders to sign off their own work, in addition to targets to tackle building inspection wait times. "Making it easier and more affordable to build opens the door to homeownership for more Kiwis, gives families choice about where they live, and supports growth and job creation in the construction sector," he said in April. ADVERTISEMENT "We can't achieve this vision while the building consent system remains slow and overloaded. Even simple, single-storey homes must go through around 12 inspections before they're finished, with costly delays when demand is high. "When many Kiwis are locked out of the housing market, that's simply not good enough." Last month, the Government also said it would increase the size of granny flats, able to be built without consent, from 60 to 70 square metres.
West Australian
15-05-2025
- West Australian
Shire of Augusta-Margaret River offers warning to unregistered works after builder prosecuted
The local government has put builders and homeowners on notice after a successful prosecution in court last month. A $53,000 penalty was handed down to an unidentified builder on April 16 for breaches of the Building Act. Shire of Augusta-Margaret River president Julia Meldrum said the builder was successfully prosecuted for undertaking unauthorised building works without the necessary permits. The incident, which followed a similar prosecution in 2022, was a timely reminder for builders to adhere to requirements, she said. 'I'd like to stress the importance of obtaining the necessary permits before commencing any building works,' Cr Meldrum said. 'Our team is committed to enforcing building regulations and protecting the community from the risks associated with unauthorised construction.' The shire president said the region's growth rate had let to skyrocketing building applications and permits. She said the Sshire was dedicated to ensuring building rules were followed to keep residents safe and to protect the environment.
1News
12-05-2025
- Climate
- 1News
State of Emergency lifted in Banks Peninsula as slip holds
The local State of Emergency on Banks Peninsula has been lifted after monitoring of a slip in Akaroa showed no further significant land movement. Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger lifted the State of Emergency at 3pm today, saying monitoring equipment at a slip in Akaroa had revealed there had been "no further significant land movement". "With that information, we're now in a position to make a decision on the evacuation zone, begin work on the slip remediation options and lift the State of Emergency." Emergency services were called to Lighthouse Rd on May 1 due to a large crack in the road, with four homes evacuated as a precaution due to risk of slips. The team had been working with property owners and businesses in Akaroa and would continue to do so, said Mauger. "It's been a big two weeks for this community and for the team working on the response, and I'd like to thank everyone for their hard work and patience." Christchurch City Council would keep a close eye on the area as the ground in the area was "still saturated", he added. "A designation has been made under the Building Act on the area, so we can react if needed." Three States of Emergency were declared after the April 30 weather event — in the Selwyn district and Christchurch City and one local declaration in Banks Peninsula. All were now lifted. Christchurch and Banks Peninsula were now both in a recovery period and the focus would be on repairing damaged infrastructure.
