Council Joins List of Accredited Building Consent Authorities

Horowhenua District Council joins a growing list of local government authorities who have been granted accreditation to continue issuing building consents under the Building Act 2004 reforms.

HDC is the 24th council to be granted approval out of the 85 territorial and regional authorities that must accredited by the 30 June 2008.

HDC Environment and Regulatory Services Manager Tony Thomas said the accreditation means the council can continue to grant building consents after the deadline laid down by the Act.

The Building Consent Authority Accreditation and Registration Scheme was among reforms under the Building Act 2004 aimed at ensuring buildings were built right first time.

Mr Thomas said it had cost the Council $60,000 to go through the accreditation process, however, the outcome meant the Council had the systems in place to thoroughly assess consent applications appropriately.

"The accreditation represents the culmination of a significant project for the Council and full credit goes to staff along with the support of the local building industry who helped us achieve it."

Mayor Brendan Duffy said HDC was to be congratulated for the fantastic result of being in the first 25 per cent of councils in the country to be accredited.

"It's a brilliant result and shows what a committed team can achieve. Councillors and the community should be very proud to have such a team at work in our Council."

For information, phone Colleen Sheldon, communications officer, on 3660999.