Construction Industry Council welcomes bill

13 March 2009

Media Release – for immediate release

Construction Industry Council welcomes bill to streamline building consents

The Construction Industry Council has hailed a Government move to substantially reduce red tape on building projects.

Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Council, Richard Michael, said news that the Building Amendment Bill (No 2) had received its first reading in Parliament was very welcome.

The Bill streamlines both the consent process for house designs to be replicated on a substantial scale and the process for making minor alterations to work that already has consent.

It also makes obtaining a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) voluntary which will also save time and lower building costs.

“Moves to reduce the number of requests required, provide multiple use consents and make PIMs optional are very sensible,” said Mr Michael.

“The industry has been advocating for this for a long time and news of the Bill’s progress will be welcomed by builders and their clients alike. We would like to see the changes implemented as soon as is practical.”

News of the Bill’s first reading came as REINZ reported a lift in house sales in February and industry research and analysis company BIS Shrapnel tipped the New Zealand house building sector to pick up in the 2010 March quarter.

“Having such changes in place will undoubtedly make it easier for the industry to forge ahead when the upturn comes and will benefit all areas of the sector,” said Mr Michael.

ENDS

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