Fees and charges

Staff time

• For chargeable services the staff hourly rate is - $80.00 per hour

Photocopying

• A4 Mono - $0.20 per sheet
• A4 Mono double sided - $0.40 per sheet
• A4 Colour - $1.00 per sheet
• A3 Mono - $0.40 per sheet
• A3 Mono double sided - $0.80 per sheet
• A3 Colour - $2.00 per sheet

Aerial photos or maps

• GIS preparation and printing - $10.00 per item 
  • Photocopying charges apply as above for multiple copies 
  • Complex enquiries may incur specialist staff time charges

Electronic imaging

• CD or DVD - $5.00 per job

• For one device, for the first seven days of proposed operation or part days thereof - $11.25
• For each additional device, for the first seven days of proposed operation of part days thereof - $2.25
• For each device, for each further period of seven days or part thereof - $1.12

Building consent applications require either a deposit or set fee to be paid at time of lodging the application. When a deposit is required, the consent will not be uplifted until processing has concluded, fees are calculated, and settlement of any additional fees have been paid.   

All deposits include full cost recovery.  

Applicable as per consent value: 

Annual administration (includes audit if required) 

Consent fees are based on administration, processing time, inspections anticipated, Code Compliance Certificate, applicable levies and any other fees which may be incurred such as photocopying charges, title endorsement etc. 

In situations where additional inspections are required, or additional costs are incurred for amendments to approved plans during construction and the like, the owner will be required to meet those costs on completion of the project and before the Code Compliance Certificate will be issued. 

Customer Services staff will be unable to accept any building consent applications that do not contain all the required documentation and/or are not accompanied by the deposit fee.

Please refer to our Payment options to pay your deposit. 

If you have any further queries, please contact BDC Building Services on 788-9610.

Council is charging an annual fee for overseeing the Building Warrant of Fitness (BWOF) process.

We have provided a breakdown of what the annual fee covers in our BWOF Annual Fee FAQ April 2024 (PDF 13.81MB) . Please read this document for more information.

Please contact your IQP to estimate the costs of the IQP inspections, maintenance, and reporting required for your BWOF.

The below fees exclude tenanted areas, Council Chambers and the Mayor’s office.

• Commercial/business/government department (longer-term rates by negotiation) - $200.00 per day
• Non profit/community group - $50.00 per day, up to a maximum of $400.00 per event

For the purposes of determining Annual Dog Registration Fees, there will be two categories of dog owner - those considered to demonstrate competent dog ownership known as responsible dog owners (RDO) and those who have not.

To demonstrate competence a dog owner must not have had any substantiated complaints in the previous twelve month period. Animal Control Officers will be responsible for investigating and recording complaints made about dogs. 

Responsible dog owners will be charged the following registration fees 

Responsible dog owners will be charged the following registration fee:

Approved dog owners - entire dogs:  

• $67.50 (working dogs)
• $89.50 (non-working dogs)

Approved dog owners - de-sexed dogs:

• $52.50 (working dogs)
• $69.50 (non-working dogs)

Working dogs are defined as dogs that are used specifically or solely for the herding or droving of stock.

Dog owners who are not able to show competence in dog ownership will be charged the following fees:

• Entire dogs - $154.50 
• De-sexed dogs - $134.50 

Other fees related to dog registration

• Dogs not registered after due date (per dog) - Additional 50% 
• Duplicate registration tags - $2.50 
• Microchipping of dogs - $40.00 
• Inspection fee - $51.00 
• Animal control officer consultation - $66.50 per hour 

Dog impounding

• First impounding within 12 months -  $75.00 
• Second impounding within 12 months - $180.00 
• Third impounding within 12 months  - $200.00 
• Plus in each instance above, a sustenance fee per day or part thereof  - $15.00 
• Dogs impounded after normal working hours, owner to pay an additional fee - $50.00 
• Finders fee (first offence, registered, able to be identified, able to be received)    - $30.00 
• Dog Euthanasia - Full cost recovery 

Ranging and impounding of animals 

• Stock impounding - Actual cost 
• Every horse, above 12 months of age  - $60.00 
• Every horse, under 12 months of age  - $60.00 
• Every mule or ass - .$60.00 
• Every bull over the age of 9 months - $60.00 
• Every ox, cow, steer, heifer or calf - .$60.00 
• Every ewe, wether or lamb - $50.00 
• Every hind or stag - $60.00
• Every goat- $50.00 
• Every boar, sow or pig-  $50.00 

Impounding and sustenance

The owner of any stock impounded shall pay, in addition to the above impounding fee, a similar amount per day or part day thereof for sustenance, and actual and reasonable charges incurred in impounding the stock on the following basis: 

• The actual costs on wages plus 140% (plus GST)
• Vehicle expenses at $1.00 per kilometre plus GST for external charging
• The actual freight costs incurred 

Administration costs

• Travel costs - Vehicle expenses at $1.50 per kilometre plus GST for external charging 
• Dogs impounded after normal working hours, owner to pay an additional fee   - $50.00 
• Finders Fee (first offence, registered, able to be identified, able to be received) - $31.00

Application for class 4 gambling venues - $287.50 deposit with full cost recovery

Premises Licence Fees

• Additional visits if required -  $126.00 per hour (includes mileage) 
• Food vending machines - 39.00
• Hairdressers -  $220.50 
• Mortuary licence -  $276.00 
• Offensive trades -  $276.00 
• Camping grounds -  $276.00 
• Transfer fee of health registrations - $34.00 
• Others - itinerant traders -  $276.00 
• Hawkers - $25.00 

Trading in public places licence (street stalls) 

• up to and including a maximum of three (3) days over any seven (7) day period - $26.25 
• for more than three (3) days up to seven (7) days over any seven (7) day period - $42.00 
• mobile or travelling shops -  $166.00 
• Licence to Occupy footpaths for dining purposes - temporary structures -  $126.00 

If a business is required to be registered under the Food Act 2014, the following charges apply:

• Food control plan - national programme (initial) - $200.00 
• Food control plan - national programme (renewal of registration) - $200.00 
• Printed food control plan - $30.00 
• Printed food control diary - $10.00 
• Verification (per audit) of Food Control Plan, including site visits, correspondence, and report - $187.00 per hour 
• Verification follow up including corrective actions - $187.00 per hour 
• Amendment to food control plans based on a change in circumstances - $50.00 
• Additional visits to check compliance - $187.00 per hour 
• Compliance and monitoring (investigation of complaint resulting in the issue of an improvement notice by Food Safety Officer - $187.00 per hour 

Environmental Health Officer 

• Inspections -  $187.00 per hour 
• Administration - 110.00 per hour
• Consultation - 187.00 per hour

• Where written information is sought or staff are employed to provide information other than that in relation to normal inspectoral or by-law requirements, an hourly rate of  - $71.50 per hour 
• Photography costs -  $2.00 per photo 
• Property File (routine request) - $50.00 
• Property File (urgent request) - $65.00
• All other services rendered by staff which is outside of the services normally provided for in our Fees and Charges - $71.50 per hour 

• Application for licence to occupy -  $185.00
• Licence to occupy documentation fee -  $185.00
• Annual licence fee for dwellings on unformed legal road, as per Council policy - Council will provide rental rates upon application.
• All other licences by negotiation.

Basis of charges 

The Buller District Council has adopted a user pays policy for all resource consent applications and functions that the Council carries out under the Resource Management Act 1991.

The purpose of the charges is to recover the actual and reasonable costs incurred by the Council.

In setting these charges, the Council considered the criteria in Section 36 of the Resource Management Act (RMA). 

Timing of payments

Most of the charges and amounts specified in this schedule (unless otherwise specified) are payable in advance of any action being undertaken by the Council. Pursuant to Section 36(7) of the RMA, the Council does not need to perform the action to which the charge relates until the charge has been paid in full. 

Deposits

Deposits are initial charges payable when an application is submitted to Council for processing. Notwithstanding that a deposit may be paid, the Council will commence processing the application only when it is satisfied that the information received with the application is adequate.

Since resource consent applications can vary significantly in their content and nature, the Council cannot set a fixed charge that would be fair and reasonable in every case. The deposit shown in the schedule is the minimum deposit for that particular application category.

A deposit higher than the minimum could be required, and this would depend on the nature and scale of each specific application. 

Final costs

When an application has been processed and a decision has been made, the Council will finalise the cost of processing it. 

1. Remission of charges: Pursuant to Section 36(5) of the RMA, the Council, at its discretion may remit the whole or any part of the charges listed. 
2. Additional charges: Additional charges may be required under Section 36(3) of the RMA where the deposit is inadequate to cover costs, to enable Council to recover its actual and reasonable costs relating to any particular application. 
3. Discount on the charges: Pursuant to Section 36AA of the RMA the Council will give discounts on administrative charges to applicants whose resource consents have exceeded the prescribed timeframes where the responsibility for the failure rests solely with Council. The refund will be in accordance with the Resource Management (discount on administrative charges) Regulations 2010. 

Policy

As a basis for additional costs under Section 36(3) of the RMA 1991, Council will assess such costs on the following basis: 

1. Staff costs will be charged out at their hourly charge out rates as determined by the Department Manager from time to time. 
2. Vehicle mileage rates will be charged at $2.00 per kilometre plus GST for external charging. Travel for consultants will be charged at cost. 
3. Staff travel time will be capped at one hour, plus applicable mileage. 
4. Advertising, materials and laboratory costs will be charged at cost. 
5. Costs for Hearing Commissioners and their disbursements will be recovered at actual rates. 
6. Legal charges / peer reviews will be recovered at actual rates. 
7. Costs for contractors and consultants will be recovered at actual cost. 
8. An additional charge of 10% will also be applied to cover Council’s cost in relation to outsourced consent applications. 

List of charges

A charge shall be made for each type of application or action listed. All charges unless otherwise specified in this table are a deposit and are inclusive of GST. All references are to the Resource Management Act 1991 and any subsequent amendments unless specified otherwise. 

• Application administration fee -  $200.00 
• Monitoring administration fee -  $200.00

• Description of service - Minimum deposit/fixed charge 
• Non notified (other than below) - $1,000.00 deposit with full cost recovery 
• Non notified - $600.00 deposit with full cost recovery 
• Electric line installation 
• Minor bulk, height and location matters 
• Signs 
• Non-notified relocation of an existing powerpole - $600.00 flat fee 
• Notified (eg hearings and joint hearings with the Regional Council)  - $1,300.00 deposit with full cost recovery 
• Permitted boundary activities – section 87BA of the Resource Management Act 1991  - $550.00 deposit with full cost recovery 
• Deemed permitted activities – section 87BB of the Resource Management Act 1991  - $550.00 deposit with full cost recovery

• Non notified  - $1,000.00 deposit with full cost recovery 
• Notified  - $1,200.00 deposit with full cost recovery 
• Boundary adjustment - $700.00 deposit with full cost recovery

• Section 223 sealing of plan - $300.00 minimum with full cost recovery 
• Signing under section 224(c) where no conditions are imposed  - $200.00 minimum with full cost recovery 
• Signing under section 224(c) where conditions are imposed - $300.00 minimum with full cost recovery 
• Section 226 Certificates - $500.00 minimum with full cost recovery 
• Right of way and easement amendments (section 348 of LGA 1974) - $550.00 minimum with full cost recovery 
• Resolution for no frontage access to a lot (section 321 of LGA 1974) - $400.00 minimum with full cost recovery 
• Authenticated copy of section 321 resolution  - $230.00 minimum with full cost recovery 
• Easements and encumbrances including lifting building line restrictions - $355.00 minimum with full cost recovery 
• Other services (eg building, engineering advice)  - At cost

• Compliance monitoring on a Resource Consent where a breach of consent condition or conditions are identified - Sec 35(2)(d) - At cost invoiced on completion of investigations 
• Compliance monitoring of Resource Consent conditions, including Compliance Certificate for completion of conditions  - At cost, invoiced on completion of investigations 
• Objection on decision - section 357-357A - $400.00 deposit with full cost recovery 

Lapsing/cancellation/change/review of conditions: 

• Sections 125, 126, 127, 128-132 - $700.00 deposit with full cost recovery 
• Notified review of condition - section 128 -  Full cost recovery 
• Maintenance bond administration - $200.00 per condition to be bonded 
• Performance bond administration  - $300.00 per condition to be bonded 
• Bond preparation by Council Solicitor  -  At cost 
• Legal costs associated with consent application -  At cost 
• Where one or more submitters make a request under Section 100A of the RMA to have a resource consent application heard by one or more hearing commissioners who are not members of the Council, the applicant will pay the amount that the Council estimates it would cost for the application to be heard had the request not been made, and the submitter(s) who made the request will pay, in equal shares, the cost of the application being heard that exceeds that amount payable by the applicant. 
• Where the applicant requests to have a resource consent application heard by one or more hear commissioners who are not members of the Council, under Section 100A of the RMA, the applicant will pay the full costs.

• Existing use rights - section 10 - $900.00 deposit with full cost recovery 
• Transfer of resource consent - $50.00
• Certificate of Compliance - section 139  - $700.00 deposit with full cost recovery
• Signing of s241 cancellation of amalgamation certificate - $150 minimum with full cost recovery
• Signing of s243 variation/surrender of easement certificate - $150 minimum with full cost recovery
• Signing of s348 certificate - $150 minimum with full cost recovery

Requirement for Designation - Sections 168-173 (Heritage Order Sections 189-191)

• Non-notified  - $1,100.00 deposit with full cost recovery 
• Notified  - $2,100.00 deposit with full cost recovery 
• Approval of outline plan - section 176(a) - $300.00 deposit with full cost recovery 
• Waiver of outline plan - section 176 - $200.00 flat fee 

Requirement for alteration of a designation - Sec 181: 

• Non-notified  - $600.00 deposit with full cost recovery 
• Notified  - $900.00 deposit with full cost recovery 

Application to determine that a designation should not lapse - Sections 184(1)(b) and (2)(b): 

• Non-notified  - $400.00 deposit with full cost recovery 
• Notified  - $1,100.00 deposit with full cost recovery 
• Searching and compiling information in respect of plans, resource consent records, planning files, involving more than 30 minutes and per half hour or part thereof  - $35.00 deposit with full cost recovery 
• Consultation of more than 30 minutes regarding information in respect of District Plan or proposed District Plan interpretation on any one project, excluding explanations associated with the statutory process for processing a consent  -  Invoiced on completion of the consultation 
• Written response to interpretations sought on District Plan or any Proposed District Plan rule/s  -  Invoiced on completion of investigations. 
• Request for private plan change - $5,100.00 deposit with full cost recovery 

• Preparation of any documents for the purposes of the Overseas Investment Commission - At cost 
• Information requests that take longer than 30 minutes to answer - At cost 
• Record of title (or first instrument) - $45.00 
• Plus: per additional document - $15.00 
• Consultants miscellaneous fees (ie, printing costs) - At cost 

• Buller District Plan folder - $350.00 flat fee 
• Buller District Plan CD -  $35.00 flat fee 
• Buller District Plan maps - $350.00 flat fee

The following are charge-out rates that will be used to assess actual costs: 

• Chief Executive - $200.00 per hour 
• All divisional managers - $180.00 per hour 
• Processing officer (including consultants undertaking processing and monitoring of applications  - $145.00 - $250.00 per hour 
• Assets and infrastructure and building officers - $115.00 - $200.00 per hour 
• Technical support officer planning - $155.00 per hour 
• Other staff - Hourly rate set by the Manager of the respective department 
• Cost of commissioners attending hearings - Actual costs 
• Consultants and contractors (eg, noise reports, legal advice, does not include processing and monitoring consultants)  - Actual costs 
• Copying, vehicle costs and other administration charges are applicable as prescribed for the whole of Council’s operations

Notes: 

1. The Council may charge a late default fee of $1o0.00 if a resource consent application is withdrawn within five (5) working days of an appointed hearing, in addition to costs. 
2. Consent monitoring charges will be included as conditions on resource consents where appropriate. 
3. Every other certificate, authority, approval, consent, service given or inspection made by the Council under any enactment or regulation not specifically mentioned in the resolution above, where such enactment contains no provision authorising the Council to charge a fee and does not provide that certificate, authority, approval, consent, service or inspection is to be given or made free of charge, will be charged for at cost. This includes the cancellation of amalgamation conditions. 
4. All information searches which take longer than 30 minutes will be charged for.

Solid waste fees for refuse and recycling Zone One and Two will be charged by the contractors, Smart Environmental Ltd and WestReef Services Ltd.

Maruia Landfill

• Minimum charge for refuse - $12.00
• Light truck/ute/van - $75.00
• Single axle trailer - $75.00
• Double axle trailer - 100.00

• Single unit - $165.00 (GST exempt) per week
• Double unit - $215.00 (GST exempt) per week
• Garage (if available) - $10.00 (GST exempt) per week

All service connections shall be on a cost recovery. The work involved shall be installed to Council specifications and the installations must be undertaken by an approved contractor following the application being approved by Council.

Buller District Council has a memorandum of understanding with the South Granity Water Board to collect an annual charge of $288.00 per year for the upkeep of the South Granity community water supply.

The charge is applicable for all properties connected to the water supply and will be included in the rates assessment for the property.

Instalment dates

South Granity water charges are payable in 4 instalments with the due dates being:

• Instalment 1 28 August 2024
• Instalment 2 28 November 2024
• Instalment 3 28 February 2025
• Instalment 4 28 May 2025

Penalties

On the penalty date a ten percent (10%) charge will be added to the balance of charges left owing. A charge of five percent (5%) will be added on 1 September 2024 to any balance owing from any year’s charges applied prior to 1 July.

South Granite Water charges are payable at Council’s main office, Brougham Street, Westport or the Reefton Visitor and Service Centre, or through online banking or direct credit, direct debit, or credit card.

All unpaid water charges will incur penalties on the penalty dates as set out in the table below:

• Instalment 1 29 August 2024 10%
• Instalment 2 29 November 2024 10%
• Instalment 3 29 February 2025 10%
• Instalment 4 29 May 2025 10%

Any year’s water contribution struck prior to 1 July 2024 1 September 2024 5%.

Fees are set pursuant to the Sale & Supply of Alcohol (Fees) Regulations 2013 and are standard nationwide.

On-licence or off-licence or club licence - new or renewal applications:

• An application fee – for all applications for new licences, renewals and variations of licences. This will range from $368.00 to $1,207.50; plus
• An annual fee - payable by all licensees every year on the anniversary date of the issue of the licence.This will range from $161.00 to $1,437.50.
• Special licence - new or renewal applications .....$63.25 – $575.00
• Manager’s certificate - new or renewal applications ......... $316.20
• Extract from registrar .......$57.50
• Temporary authority per licence ....... $296.70
• Temporary licence.......$296.70
• Providing alcohol information .........$125.00 per hour

• Rental rates will be provided on the application for other rooms not explicitly listed in Council's Fees and Charges.

• Application fee - $365.00
  (if the application is approved all costs including staff time are payable in advance, in addition to the application fee.)

The A2 additional trade waste charges are an annual charge for recovery of the marginal cost of providing additional trade waste capacity. This charge will be made using the methodology defined in schedule 1D of Council’s Trade Waste Bylaw.

This charge will be made on the basis of multiples of domestic dwelling equivalents. The Domestic Dwelling Equivalent (DDE) varies depending on the activity. To calculate the total trade waste cost charging groups are based on DDE.

You can find the current charging categories for non-domestic/trade waste consumers and further information in our 2024 - 2025 Enhanced Annual Plan Fees and Charges (page 178 - 179).

For further information regarding the Trade Waste Bylaw read our trade waste information or contact Council. 

• Vehicle crossings are required to be installed to Council specifications and the installation must be undertaken by an approved contractor following the application being approved by Council.

• Parking charges:
• Daytime (more than 1 hour, but less than 24 hours) -  $5.00 per day
• Overnight (24 hour period, plus) - $10.00 per 24 hour

Daily casual landing fees:

Weights based on aircraft’s maximum certified take-off weight (MCTOW):

• 0–1000kg ............ $10.00
• 1,001–2,000kg..... $20.00
• 2,001–3,500kg...... $35.00
• 3,501–5,000kg...... $65.00
• 5,001–12,000kg.....$125.00
• 12,001 – 25,000 kg ......$260.00
• 25,001 kg and over ...... $320.00

Discounts and administration charges:

An honesty box is provided for operators of light aircraft below 2,000kg, which is located adjacent of the terminal building.

Honesty box fees are discounted to:

• Aircraft MCTOW of less than 1,000kg.....$5.00
• Aircraft MCTOW of 1,000kg to less than 2,000kg ....... $15.00

Touch and go practice landing will be charged for one landing only.

A $10.00 administration charge applies to all invoice less than $20.00 per month.

(All fees are exclusive of GST. Per day rates - minimum 24 hours)

Soundings

• Special Soundings (at the request of Ship’s Master or Agent) Monday-Friday (0700 hrs - 1800 hrs) - $460.00 per hour or part thereof
• Outside of the above times - $667 per hour for the first hours, and $350 per hour for the second and subsequent hours or part therof.

Harbour Master boat assistance

• Per hour for the first hour - $667.00
• Per hour for the second and subsequent hours or part thereof - $402.50

Public notices

• Advertisements - Actual cost

Wharfage

• Fish - $9.45 per metric ton or part thereof (minimum $40.00)
• Other commodities - $9.45 per metric ton or part thereof (minimum $40.00)

Berthage (vessels under 30 metres LOA)

• Vessels that are not commercial fishing vessels and do not have a permanent berth - A daily charge of $2.75 per metre or part metre of the overall length of the vessel with a minimum charge of $31.31 per day
• Fishing charter vessel - A daily charge of $3.60 per metre or part metre of the overall length of the vessel
• Commercial fishing vessel less than 20m (LOA) - $3.00 per metre per day
• Commercial fishing vessel 20m (LOA) and over - 299.00 per entry (includes entry/advisory fee) plus $3.05 per metre per day
• A vessel requiring a ‘layup’ berth - A monthly charge of $46.00 per metre or part metre of the overall length of the vessel payable in advance plus any costs involved in the supply of three phase or other shore power
• All other permanent berth holders
  • An annual charge of $195.60 per metre or part metre of the overall length of the vessel
  • An annual charge of $115.00 per metre or part metre of the overall length of the vessel for pole mooring (non powered)
• Six-months tuna special - The rate is $97.75 per boat metre or part metre. This allows the vessel to be tied up as many times as desired between 1 Jan and 30 June in any one season. (Note a six month rate will be applied to annual and floating berth holders from July to December 2023 inclusive).

Mooring Fee - Linesmen

• Monday-Friday (0700 hrs - 1800 hrs) - $90.00 per hour, per person
• All other times (Minimum charge - 1 hour per person) - $120.00 per hour, per person 

Punt Hire

• Punt hire - $37.50 per hour

Slipway Charges

• Haulage (up/down) - $900.00 minimum charge (this includes 5 days applicable cradle charge)
• Daily cradle charge - $150.00 per day
• Electricity connection fee - $48.00
• Electricity (metered supply charge) - $1.50 per kWh (a cleaning fee of up to $500.00 will be charged if the site is left untidy)

Security Access Card

• Replacement Card - $75.00