Council invites public submissions on proposed Building Act Fees to be charged by Building Control from 1 July 2025.

Building Control Manager Dhyanom Gala said the Building Control group reviewed its fees and charges every year to ensure they remained fair and reflected the actual cost of providing the service.

“This review allows us to adjust fees to reflect changes in service costs, ensuring they are up-to-date and reasonable. It also helps us collect fees for any new processes or costs, in line with Council policy,” Mr Gala said.

For 2025-2026, an overall increase of 2.2 per cent is proposed to Building Control group fees and charges and swimming pool inspection general rates to adjust for inflation along with several targeted amendments to better align fees with costs. These include include:

• A new charge for processing of alternative plans and specifications for consent applications;
• A new officer charge-out rate for Certificate of Public Use application processing;
• An increase in charges for lapsing consent applications and extension of time to commence/complete building work under a building consent;
• A new flat fee classification for major works with value between $1M to $4M for schedule 1-exemption 2 applications;
• A new fee for change of use application assessment and extension of specified life of building assessment.
• A new charge for sign-off of building consents older than 5 years.

“The special consultative procedure gives the public an opportunity to make submissions and provide feedback on the proposed fee changes. Once the submission period closes, hearings will be conducted if people indicate they want to speak in support of their submission,” Mr Gala said.

The ‘Statement of Proposal - Revision of Building Act Fees and Charges’ is available now on Council’s website or by visiting Council’s Customer Service Centre in Blenheim or the Marlborough District Libraries in Blenheim and Picton. Submissions close 5pm on Wednesday 14 May 2025.

For further information or for a copy of the proposal, please email: buildingconsents@marlborough.govt.nz

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