Central Otago District Council says meeting the government’s new building inspection targets will be “challenging”, with extra resourcing likely needed to keep up.

Regulatory services manager Lee Webster said the council was currently completing 80 percent of inspections within three working days.

However he warned the target would be difficult to sustain month to month, given fluctuating demand and limited staff. 

“In the coming months, we do expect inspection wait times to lengthen due to training commitments, annual leave, and recent staff vacancy,” he said.

Recruiting new building control officers was also difficult, with a two-year training programme and many officers opting for contracting work instead.

“This further impacts council’s ability to meet the needs of the community,” Lee said.

“Customers can help reduce delays by submitting good applications, being ready when inspections are booked and ensuring the building work matches the consent issued.”

Southland MP Joseph Mooney welcomed the changes, saying they would reduce costly hold ups for the building sector.

“Delays can cost builders thousands of dollars in lost time,” he said. 

“When our government introduced reporting for building consents, delays improved. Now it’s inspections’ turn.”

The new rules announced by Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk came into effect on August 22. 

Councils must now complete at least 80 percent of building inspections within three working days of the date requested.

The minister expected the new target, alongside wider consent reforms, to cut inefficiencies and give homeowners and builders greater certainty.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will publish quarterly wait time data for every council with the first results released in the final quarter of this year.

“Shining a light on the data will lift performance and give the public a clear view of how councils are tracking,” the minister said.

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