12. Hon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) Link to this
to the Minister for Building and Construction
Does he stand by his statement in the House on 6 November 2007 that the building consent process is “going swimmingly well”?
Hon MARYAN STREET (Minister of Housing) Link to this
The statement the member refers to related to the Quality Regulation Review project and the 11 projects that my department has under way, and the Minister stands by that statement.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Does the Minister think the building consent process is going swimmingly well for homeowners and builders, who are now confronted with 110 pages of forms and documents—like this application pack in my hand from the Rodney District Council—for even the most minor building consent, or was his “swimming” comment a reference to the tsunami of paperwork the Government has now imposed on that sector?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
I have clarified what the comment “going swimmingly well” referred to. In respect of the paperwork that the member has told us about, the Government is responding to industry requests to reduce compliance costs, including looking at ways to reduce delay and increase flexibility in the building consents process. We are actively working with local government, building associations, and a range of other stakeholders in developing pragmatic solutions to that.
Hon Tariana Turia Link to this
Tēnā koe, Madam Speaker. What is the Minister doing to ensure that consistent advice is provided by local authority officials about building consent processes, certification, and the Building Act, in order to prevent increased costs, further delays, and inconvenience to families?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
The Department of Building and Housing is working with local authorities in order to ensure that their accreditation means that exactly the kinds of concerns the member has raised can be addressed swiftly. Government money is, in fact, being applied to local government to make that happen.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Is the Minister aware that when this new, 110-page building consent application pack, over half the documents of which are from the Government’s Department of Building and Housing, is multiplied by the 70,000 building consents a year, it would amount to 40 tonnes of paper or a 1-kilometre high pile; and does he see any irony in the fact that these documents all have stamped on them “New Zealand Government—everyone can have sustainability”.
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
The kinds of requirements that are now being put in place, including the accreditation of local authorities, have been established in order to address concerns about building quality and the issues that gave rise to leaky homes. The fact that there is some paperwork to go with that we do not apologise for.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
How does this Minister match her rhetoric in her speech in Nelson that the Government is determined to improve home affordability with the fact that since she gave that speech the Nelson City Council has increased its building consent fees by 50 percent, the Tasman District Council has increased its building consent fees by 35 percent, and the Dunedin City Council has increased its building consent fees by 59 percent; are these dramatic fee increases, which arise from Government policy, not also contributing to the problem of inflation, which sees homeowners facing record high interest rates?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
I am advised that most builders do not mind paying, in the case of the Nelson City Council, another $100 for a consent, if it results in a quality and prompt decision on their building consent. I ask that member whether he is criticising the Nelson City Council and other local bodies for making investments to improve their building services and consent processing times.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
Can I ask this Minister, her having raised the issue of leaky homes, why on earth she and her department have not taken advantage of Bob Clarkson’s advice given on TVNZ that he could fix up all the leaky homes problems for $20,000, despite the fact that that would leave most of the leaky home problems $100,000 short?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
I take the point that the member is making, and I draw the attention of the House to the fact that the leaky homes problem has resulted in costs to homeowners of something in excess of $1 billion. The whole improvement in the Building Act was done to address that.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Does the Government accept responsibility for the Building Act 2004, which has seen this huge growth in paperwork in the building industry? The Wellington City Council has stated: “A typical house plan 4 years ago was 3 A3-sized plans and 30 supporting pages. Under the Government’s new Building Act, developers are now required to file 12 A3 pages and up to 300 pages of documentation.” If the fault is not that of the Building Act 2004, who the heck’s is it?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
I think what that member needs to take into account is not simply any costs arising from the Building Act and the requirements we now have to ensure that we have proper homes that do not leak, but the costs of not complying with the Building Act.
Madam SPEAKERWe are on the last question. We will have it in silence. If there are any interventions members will leave the Chamber.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Can the Minister explain how a 50 percent increase in building consent fees at the Nelson City Council, a 35 percent increase at the Tasman District Council, and a 59 percent increase at the Dunedin City Council—all after the Government had promised to improve housing affordability—will help home affordability for average Kiwi families?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
I have already addressed one part of the question by saying that it would appear on good authority—from builders—that they do not mind paying the extra $100 if their consent is processed swiftly, which is exactly what the accreditation process was set up to deal with. The other thing in relation to the question is that if the member thinks building consent processes contribute to housing affordability, his outlook is even more narrow and limited than I imagined.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I seek leave to table the Registered Master Builders Federation submission to the Commerce Committee on the home affordability crisis.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I have in my hand the Rodney District Council’s 110-page building consent application pack. I seek—
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I have in my hand the Nelson City Council’s announcement of a 50 percent increase in its building consent fees.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I have in my hand the Tasman District Council’s announcement of a 35 percent increase in its building consent fees.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I have in my hand the announcement by the Dunedin City Council of a 59 percent increase in its building consent fees.