Clear regulations crucial: Builder

Building and trade experts would be brought in as consultants on the proposed taskforce. Photo / APN

Hawke's Bay residents could soon be free from "pedantic and loopy" consent regulations but a Napier builder says rules are necessary to protect an increasingly liable building industry.

Local Government Minister Paula Bennett announced a new Rules Reduction Taskforce would work in partnership with local government to ease the frustration of both property owners and councils.

"We've seen rules and regulations brought in over decades that were well intentioned but end up being confusing, onerous and costly while failing to deliver any real benefit for the property owner or the wider public," Mrs Bennett said.

Building and trade experts would be brought in as consultants on the taskforce.

"Anyone doing building work knows just how frustrating and costly the bureaucracy can get," Mrs Bennett said.

"We want to hear from property owners, builders, tradespeople and businesses on rules and regulations that are crying out for sensible change."

A Napier builder, who didn't want to be named, said unnecessary rules had contributed to Hawke's Bay's housing shortage.

"You get families who have a bit of land who want to build a second dwelling and they have to pay massive council fees. You've already had fees to have the section there in the first place.

"I'm struggling to get work at the moment. In Hawke's Bay it's terrible."

However, clear regulations were crucial given the increasing responsibility heaped on builders every year.

"There's huge liability now especially on the builders. The more eyes that look over things, the better it is no matter how thorough you are, you [still] miss things."

The taskforce would be taking submissions from the public, and a website would be set up where people could share examples of ridiculous rules they had come up against.

"We have rules dictating all sorts of weird and wonderful things from signage over cake stalls to where your shower curtains need to be positioned," Mrs Bennett said.

One property owner who was trying to replace a 130-year-old fence faced buying or leasing the land it was on because it was on a scenic reserve.

"While there's always a degree of rationale behind these rules, the Taskforce will be charged with identifying what should stay and what should go so people can get on with the job ..."

The taskforce will be up and running in October.