Building code reform mooted

Press, 3 February 1986, Page 22

Building code reform mooted

PA Auckland The Government was looking at overhauling the building codes, the Minister of Housing, Mr Goff, has said. The cost to the nation of building industry controls had been estimated as high as $2OO million, he said. “Controls to ensure adequate standards of health, safety, community amenities and sound construction are essential,” he said.

“However, there is good reason to believe that these objectives can be more efficiently and effectively achieved by reform and rationalisation of the present system.” Under the present system delays, inconsistency of interpretation, barriers to the adoption of new technology, fragmentation and the sheer number of control authorities were

big contributors to excessive building costs, said Mr Goff. Two review documents which were published in 1983 and 1984 had recommended that the current plethora of by-laws, regulations and other control documents be replaced by a performance-oriented national building code. Present controls focused on specifying contruction methods, materials and generally the means by which the building was built A performance code would specify the ends, allowing more flexibility and promoting innovation and technological advances, saud Mr Goff. “The Government will shortly announce' its decision on a proposal now before the Cabinet on the institutional framework for a comprehensive reform of controls.”