04/04/2006

Is Oto in danger of becoming a 'dumping ground'?

There are concerns Otorohanga is becoming a "dumping ground" for relocated dwellings.
The issue was discussed at an Otorohanga District Council meeting on March 21, following a report by district building control officer John Apeldoorn.
In his report Mr Apeldoorn said many relocated dwellings are never completed to a satisfactory standard.
Under the Building Act 2004 residents have up to two years to complete their dwellings and be issued with a code compliance certificate.
Despite this, Mr Apeldoorn said several dwellings within the district remain uncompleted more than eight years after being relocated, with residents opting to only connect all necessary services such as power and water.
He said council is forced to continually monitor these houses and encourage the owners to provide an outline of their completion programmes.
The main aim is to ensure exteriors of relocated dwellings are complete as soon as possible so they do not become an eyesore.
Mr Apeldoorn suggested council take a "more stringent approach" including introducing a bond for those seeking consent to relocate.
"There is concern that some relocated dwellings more than five years old do not get completed on time. The adoption of a bond would help ensure that relocated dwellings are completed within the timeframe required."
Waipa and Waitomo District Councils both charge bonds when people apply for building consents to relocate dwellings.
"I think that the other councils are starting to see the light in terms of uncompleted relocated dwellings. I think we should look along these lines too," said Mr Apeldoorn.
It was agreed council should adopt the 'guide to re-siting a building' which outlines the procedure residents should follow, and introduce a bond for those
planning to relocate a dwelling within the district.
The bond, which would be equivalent to the value of the building cost multiplied by up to 200 per cent, would be held by council and released in stages as the building is upgraded.
Failure to comply with the conditions of the resource consent may result in the bond being forfeited or legal action carried out.
Councillors agreed these penalties were necessary to ensure people complete their dwellings to a reasonable standard.
"We must enforce it," said councillor Sue Blackler.