Building Consent Fees Increase

Waitaki District Council will increase fees for building consents from 23 November  2009 as a slowing economy has caused a larger than expected fall in consent revenue.

Council’s building control activity is funded from consent fees (75%) and rates (25%). Income from consents was expected to drop about 8% this financial year, but actual results are worse than expected. On current trends, Council is facing a prospective deficit of around $100,000 by 30 June 2010.  Every effort has been made to retain the present level of fees but in the face of increased accreditation responsibilities and falling building construction numbers, a correction must be made.  Council’s policy is that any shortfall should be met from building consent fees.

Even with the increase, Waitaki District Council building consent fees still rank favourably with the fees charged by other neighbouring authorities, many of whom have already introduced similar increases this year.