Buildings abandoned

The Whakatane District Council does not have any legislative power or authority to require the demolition of abandoned buildings in Murupara unless they are in a life threatening condition or are insanitary.

A petition from 512 residents of Murupara is asking for the Council to remove two blocks of three apartments abandoned buildings. However, a recent inspection found they were neither dangerous nor insanitary in terms of the Building Act or breached any provision of the Health Act or any Bylaw. These legal provisions provide the Council with legitimate enforcement options that can include requiring the building to be demolished or measures be put in place to prevent people entering the building site.

The buildings’ owner, who lives in Tauranga, has been quoted in the media as saying he cannot afford to renovate the building as his company is in liquidation and he is suffering from poor health.

The Council’s Manager Development and Compliance Jeff Farrell says:

“While the Council agrees the buildings are in a state of disrepair, it is simply unable to intervene in a legal sense to get the buildings removed. The situation requires a community driven solution involving community leaders working with the owner”. For more information please contact the Council on 07 306 0500.