17 Jun 2013

Experts to help speed up consent process

4:29 pm on 17 June 2013

The Government is sending officials to the Christchurch City Council to speed up the consent approval process.

The Government last week said it would strip the council of its authority to grant building and resource consents by the end of July if it does not improve its consenting process.

Some consents have taken up to 90 days to process instead of the required 20 days.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said that he, Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson and the council have come to an agreement over the arrangement.

Mr Brownlee said significant resources would be given to a special team of technical experts from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment who will have the authority to make changes to the department.

He said progress would be assessed next week to consider if further intervention is required.