25 May 2016

Council retains to building consent powers

11:44 am on 25 May 2016

Queenstown Lakes District Council has won its battle to be able to issue building consents - at least for the time being.

Queenstown by Lake Wakatipu

Queenstown by Lake Wakatipu Photo: 123RF

The council failed a performance audit earlier this year and was told it had to submit a plan by Friday last week to make improvements so it could keep the right to give out consents.

The council has blamed a national shortage of building inspectors and admitted it sometimes had to hire carpenters and plumbers to do the job.

However, it voted at a special meeting this month to commit extra funding to cover the cost of six extra building inspectors.

International Accreditation New Zealand, which controls building consent accreditation, said today the council's plan had been accepted, subject to reviews.

There would be further checks on the council's performance in July and October.

Some councillors were concerned there could be problems with building consents already issued.