Highlights in a challenging year
Highlights noted in the Department’s 2008/09 Annual Report include progress on new building laws that will benefit industry and consumers, and significant steps in licensing builders, in how leaky homes are handled, and in delivering smarter tenancy services.
Released in October, the report covered a year described as very challenging for the Department, and for the building and housing sector.
Key achievements include the following.
- The Building Amendment Act was enacted, with the following changes due early next year once the relevant regulations are approved:
- national multi-use approvals, which will fast-track the consent process for group home builders who build homes on sites across the country using the same, or similar, designs
- a new streamlined process for minor variations to building plans after building consent – this will save time for applicants and councils
- voluntary project information memorandum from 1 February 2010.
- Continuing work on licensing builders to encourage professional skills.
- Reducing the operating costs of delivering services to the rental market, despite an increase in demand for services such as dispute resolution.
- Review of the approach to weathertightness.
The Department will also build on the $3.171 million savings achieved during the year through its Value for Money Programme, with further savings planned for 2009/10. The full report is available here