Infringement Fee Notices Proposed For Breaches of Building Code

Southland District Council looks likely to introduce an alternative to legal prosecutions for breaches of the building code later this month.

The Council’s Policy Review Committee discussed the proposed change today (Wednesday) which would allow the Council to issue infringement fee notices for breaches of the building code relating to the construction of buildings.

Council’s Regulatory Services Group Manager Lindsay McKenzie said the notices would be a less costly compliance tool compared to the cost of prosecution which is currently the only option of seeking compliance.

“Initiating a prosecution under the Building Act is a time-consuming and costly exercise. The new infringement fee notice will mean that Council is able to respond quickly and efficiently to breaches.”

The recommendation that Council staff be authorised to issue infringement fee notices will go to the Council meeting at the end of November for approval and once passed will become effective immediately.

The regulation allowing Councils to issue infringement fee notices was passed earlier this year as a more cost-efficient alternative to seeking compliance with building requirements.