Monday 24th of January 2005

Registered Master Builders Federation chief executive Chris Preston says the new Building Act will increase uncertainties around the building consent process and lengthen the time it takes for building projects. "There is so much change in the act and interpretation to occur between the building industry, councils and the Department of Building and Housing of what the new codes mean, I can't see anything else but increased delays."

Under the new laws, the time it takes to get consent will be based on the value of the house being built. Consents for houses under $500,000 will take 10 working days, while buildings worth more than $500,000 will take 20 days or more.

"There are a number of councils working really hard to met the 10-day requirement," Preston said. "But generally 10 working days is the exception, not the rule, which makes it awkward for builders and their customers to plan the building process."

In Rodney District, it takes up to five weeks to process a consent. Hamish McArthur, owner of the House Company Rodney, confirmed there were ongoing delays in the area.

"The process for Rodney is slow, it's a booming area. The legislation has changed, but the district's infrastructure just hasn't kept up. We understand, but it's very frustrating," he said.

Rodney council customer services director Geoff Mears said delays were due to an increased workload, an increasingly complex building code and a shortage of qualified staff. "The whole thing is getting more and more complex. The community has to get used to it being more expensive and taking more time."

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