Building Act 2004 Implementation

Develop guidance information on the new product certification scheme by 31 March 2006

Develop guidance information on the building consent authority scheme in conjunction with the scheme's establishment

Work on guidance information for the product certification scheme was deferred to 2006/07 (see next page).

The Department completed a development guide to help territorial authorities become building consent authorities. A similar guide for regional authorities was under development and the Department also commenced preparation of advice on shared services for territorial authorities

National qualifications for building officials established by 31 December 2005

Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) established and implemented by 31 March 2006

The Local Government Industry Training Organisation (LGITO) placed several reviewed standards on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website. These had been developed in consultation with the Department's advisory group. At the end of the year, the qualification required further development of unit standards by an industry training organisation following stakeholder and industry agreement before completion. Agreement was reached between the Department and external parties on the way forward, with the Building Officials Institute of New Zealand leading the project and the Department providing technical and financial assistance.

The Minister for Building Issues agreed to amend this measure to 'in conjunction with industry, establish competencies and standards for a national qualification for building officials by 30 June 2006', in recognition of the approach being taken with the sector

Distribution of the booklet The Building Act and You - approximately 10,000 copies have been distributed.

Newspaper and magazine advertising in support of the distribution of The Building Act and You (June/August 2005).

Building Act information number 0800 242 243 publicised via website, advertising and information leaflets.

Five brochures were produced to explain the Building Act 2004 to specific audiences; designers, builders and specialist trades; homeowners and renovators; and building owners and managers. In addition the Department produced information brochures on new safety measures for premises intended for public use and sales by residential property developers. During 2005/06 approximately 112,000 copies were inserted in a range of trade-related magazines. During 2005/06 approximately 500,000 copies were distributed via territorial authorities, BRANZ and the Master Builders Federation

Establish:

• dam safety scheme by 31 December 2005
  
  
  
• product certification scheme by 31 March 2006
  
  
  
• building consent authority accreditation and registration scheme by 31 May 2006

Dam Safety Scheme.
Three meetings of the Regional Authority Working Party were held during the year to discuss the proposed dam safety regime. A number of issues relating to rural dams required further work to address appropriately. A consultation document was released in June 2006, and a meeting of the Regional Authority Working Group, joined by Federated Farmers, was held to discuss the proposed BCA Development Guide for Dams. Further guidance documents on assessment methods, etc, were under development.

The further work required resulted in delays to the development of the dam safety regime. A revised timeframe was agreed and a report on progress was provided by 30 June 2006 to the Minister for Building Issues.

Product Certification Scheme.
Work completed during the year included:

• completion of a first draft of scheme rules, and consultation on these
• work completed to enable the appointment of an accreditation body.

Cooperation with the Australian Building Codes Board resulted in agreement on how the scheme could operate between both countries.

Consultation on scheme rules identified a number of critical issues related to liability and fees which needed to be addressed in order to progress the design of the scheme. Consequently, a revised timetable for implementing the product certification scheme was agreed with the Minister for Building Issues. Establishment is now due in 2006/07.

Building Consent Authority Accreditation and Registration Scheme.
Planned work on this scheme was completed. All 85 territorial and regional authorities applied for registration as building consent authorities by the legislative deadline of 31 May 2006