House removals and relocations

North Shore City Council is looking at ways to tighten up the rules on removing and relocating houses.

Although the council has some control over the demolition, removal, trucking and relocation of houses, it is worried that the regulations in place are not enough to prevent damage or to meet the cost of repairs to roads and the environment.

North Shore City's strategy and finance committee was this week told there have been cases where the council had not been advised about some houses that had been moved in or out of the city, forcing the council to deal with the aftermath.

Committee chairperson, Tony Holman, says there have been cases where the current damage deposit of $2000 has not been enough to cover the true cost of damage to council property, and there are often traffic safety issues as overwide or overweight loads negotiate the city's streets, usually at night.

"We often receive complaints that recently relocated houses are an eyesore for some time after they arrive, and I believe it will be necessary to tighten the rules on this too," Councillor Holman says.

"It is now an urgent matter because of the significant damage in some neighbourhoods and the distress caused to residents."

The council issues resource consents and/or building consents for the demolition, removal or relocation of a house, depending on the requirements of the District Plan. An overweight permit can be issued by the council or the Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) but, at present, only the LTSA can issue an over-dimension load permit.

A working group of council staff, including traffic management, environmental services and planning, will develop draft policies, and these will be referred to a later council meeting.

"Some of these policies are designed to promote closer communication with other authorities such as neighbouring councils and the LTSA. This is absolutely essential," Councillor Holman says.

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