The Building Act, Code & Standards
Changes to the Building Act, Building Code and New Zealand Standards
February 2010 - Draft revision of NZS3064
A draft revision of NZS3604 is open for public comment until 7 April 2010 and is available to view by following this link NZS3604 - draft revision
February 2010 - The Building Amendment Act 2009
With the start of the New Year comes the first of what we expect to be several changes to building legislation that will affect all industry players. On the 31st January the Building Amendment Act 2009 comes into effect. This amendment incorporates the following changes:
- The introduction of national multiple use approvals.
- Clarification of what constitutes minor variations to building consents.
- The issuing of project information memorandums (PIM’s) becomes optional.
Information on these changes is available on the Department of Building and Housing website: www.dbh.govt.nz A key change is that from the 1st of February 2010 project information memoranda (PIMs) will become optional for all building projects requiring a building consent. It will be important that applicants positively indicate on the building consent application form whether a PIM is required or not. In the event that no choice is signalled, the Council will still produce the PIM.
The implication of the voluntary PIM will be a reduction in the application fee where a PIM is not sought. I ask you to note though that for the majority of projects (other than minor internal alterations) the Council will still have to research the same amount of information that was previously completed for the PIM. Examples of information referenced includes: hazard data, infrastructural requirements, property and subdivision files, and whether or not a resource consent will be required under the Resource Management Act. The overall cost of the consent is therefore unlikely to significantly change irrespective of whether a PIM is applied for or not. The Council’s view is that there is a distinct advantage in obtaining a PIM for any substantial project before the working drawings are prepared. This enables any information provided by the Council on the specific property that will be the subject of the development, to be made known to the designer early in the process, thereby avoiding substantial rework.
I also wish to flag that by the end of February 2010 we will be implementing a compulsory lodgement meeting for all new building and resource consent applications. This will be a formal meeting on an appointment basis with a senior building control officer and, where required, a senior planner. At this meeting, a senior BCO will vet the application and accompanying plans and specifications to ensure that the required information is provided. A formal record of the meeting will be kept.
The lodgement meeting will be in addition to any pre-application meeting(s) that you may wish to seek earlier in the process.
Jeff Farrell
MANAGER DEVELOPMENT AND COMPLIANCE