Buller District Council consulting on Draft Dangerous, Affected and Insanitary Buildings Policy

Buller District Council has reviewed its Dangerous, Affected and Insanitary Buildings Policy and is proposing some changes to bring the policy up to date and clarify how council identifies, assesses and manages these types of buildings.

Dangerous, affected and insanitary buildings are those which have the potential to cause serious harm to people, or damage other property.

Group Manager Regulatory Services Simon Bastion says: “Buildings that fall into these categories may be being used for something they were not designed for, have suffered structural damage or they may not have functioning sanitary facilities. Such buildings may pose risks to people or to other property.”

The intent of the Dangerous, Affected and Insanitary Buildings Policy is to reduce the risk of injury, death, ill health or damage that may occur as a result of dangerous, affected, and/or insanitary buildings.

The key changes proposed include:

• Adding the category of ‘affected buildings’ to the Policy title and references within document
• A clause to include affected and heritage buildings, so both are taken into account
• Inclusion of an Assessment Priority Matrix to explain how assessment of identified building is undertaken by council
• Inclusion of an Enforcement and Action section which outlines the levels of action required from building owners, which are dependent on the priority assigned to the building
• Clarification of the information that is placed on a building’s Land Information Memorandum (LIM) until the dangerous or insanitary conditions are remedied
• Inclusion of an additional method of identifying deteriorating buildings.

“The new document also clarifies the purpose of the Policy and consolidates the principles on which the Policy is based. A review of the structure and overall readability of the Policy has also been conducted” explains Mr Bastion.

The Draft Policy was adopted, along with its related Statement of Proposal, which outlines the proposed key changes to the policy, on 28 May. The draft policy is now out for public consultation, with the deadline for submissions being 4:30 pm on Friday 11 July 2025.

Feedback from the public is welcomed through council’s engagement platform, Let’s talk Buller, or by downloading a submission form and submitting via email to submissions@bdc.govt.nz, posting to Buller District Council, PO Box 21, Westport 7866, or delivering it to Council’s Westport office, the Reefton Visitor and Service Centre or our libraries.

Hearings and deliberations on the public feedback received will be held in July and August, prior to the final Dangerous, Affected and Insanitary Buildings Policy being adopted later in August.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz 

Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.