A special meeting of the Queenstown Lakes District Council has voted to commit extra funding to improve its handling of building consents.
Photo: 123RF
The council has been told it will lose its accreditation to issue consents unless a plan to make improvements is submitted by next Friday, 20 May.
An audit by International Accreditation New Zealand, found consents were being issued too slowly, with inadequate documentation and poor processes.
The auditors said some of the issues identified must be addressed immediately.
The council has blamed a national shortage of building inspectors and admitted it sometimes had to hire carpenters and plumbers to do the job.
The extra funding will cover the cost of hiring six additional building inspectors.
Councillors at today's meeting raised concerns there could be problems connected with building consents already issued.
