KEY POINTS:
Deviating from a building plan has seen an experienced property developer slapped with a $30,000 fine.
Manukau City Council granted City Link Properties a building consent, based on plans, to extend an existing house.
When the company made changes to the building which were not included in the plans, Manukau City Council took the company and its director Sean Wood to court for breaches of the Building Act.
They were found guilty in Manukau District Court of undertaking unconsented building works and failing to comply with a Notice to Fix and fined $30,000.
Sentencing Judge Lisa Tremewan said it was important the penalty sent a message to the industry and the public that building without proper consents would be taken seriously.
The court was told that Mr Wood was a professional property developer who gave seminars to the public on property development issues.
Mr Wood's seminar attendees should be aware of the difficulties that he had got himself into, Judge Tremewan said.
Manukau City Council compliance and enforcement manager Kevin Jackson said it was important to keep to plans on building consents.
"Building consents are there for a reason; to ensure building works meet a minimum standard of safety and design for the public, future tenants or owners," he said.
- NZPA
