Building Consent Fees to Rise

For the Tararua district, building accreditation has come at a price leaving the council with no option than to raise consent fees for the next financial year.

Increases are across the board reflecting the paper work load and the doubled number of inspections.

“Where three has been sufficient for standard work like cowsheds the requirement is now for seven inspections,” says senior building inspector Trevor Hook.

As an example of everyday fee increases, the installation or replacement of a free standing or an inbuilt fire place has risen from $160-$290 and $240-$380 respectively.

Other familiar examples for new constructions are a garage/workshop at $540-$790 and a farm building $540-$790. A new single storey dwelling will increase from $2,520 - $3,090.

Failure to comply with the required number of inspections would mean the loss of building accreditation status for the council, Mr Hook said.

These increases were flagged as part of the month long consultation process for the Long Term Council Community Plan. Increases are set to take effect from July 1.