Consents and monitoring staff on the move

Up to 50 Far North District Council development consents, monitoring, and support staff will relocate from Kaikohe to Kerikeri next year as the council moves to strengthen its presence in the fast growing Eastern (Bay of Islands) ward.

The council is negotiating to lease part of the top floor of the Butler Centre building with the intention of establishing the new office in the first half of next year.

The decision to make the move was made at yesterday’s council meeting in Kaikohe.

Development consents manager Patrick Schofield says the move will place the staff where the action is. “On average, around 86 per cent of all consents processes and properties inspected are in the east of the district,” he said. “Most development consents staff already live in the area and most development-related businesses are located there.

“It makes sense to relocate and reduce the endless flow of development-related traffic between the council offices and Kerikeri and vice versa. It will reduce time wasting and traffic congestion and at the same time provide comprehensive development consents services where they are needed most.”

Mr Schofield said liquor and health licensing services would be available from the same location and eastern resource consent hearings could be held in the new office once it was established.

The council will also strengthen its planning and building presence in Kaitaia in recognition of the increased development activity in the north of the Far North. Rather than relocation, this would be a gradual consolidation over a period of time, Mr Schofield said.