Building Act changes

National is warning that proposed changes to building consents, such as one consent for a development, may lead to “ticky-tack” suburbs with identical house designs.

While it is a fair criticism, I have to say that overall I find the proposals by Shane Jones to be a move in the right direction.

Especially welcome is the proposal to change the regulations so that minor alterations – such as moving a window, door or toilet – no longer required a building consent.

The devil is in the detail, but the Jones proposals look to be the first serious move to start reducing consent costs, after eight years of increasing them. Better late than never, and I think the changes are worth supporting.  That of course depends on the exact details.