The growing problem of derelict buildings

The clock is ticking for owners of buildings that must be strengthened or demolished.

But the earliest deadline is still more than a decade away for many owners, leaving many towns wondering what to do about buildings that are boarded up and falling apart.

Councils in these towns have found that at present there is virtually nothing they can do legally about it.

Adrienne Staples, the former mayor of south Wairarapa, knows the problem all too well.

In her hometown of Featherston, several shabby commercial buildings have been shut up for years.

Despite complaints that they are holding the town back, the council found there was no effective legal remedy.

‘‘We can take them to court under the RMA [Resource Management Act] for loss of amenity, but it’s very difficult to describe.

‘‘It’s subjective, rather than objective. So that’s quite a hard thing to win in court.

In Rotorua, the problem has been more houses than derelict commercial buildings, but the same issue prevails.

Mayor Steve Chadwick said they were potential fire risks and dragged down the value of surrounding properties. Neighbours had complained. ’’These are real eyesores, they’re a blot on the landscape.

Under the Health Act, any who put offending material on a property could be forced to remove, a possible method of control for overgrown sections and dilapidated houses.

But what was offensive was debatable under law. Chadwick has campaigned to have a definition of derelict buildings inserted in the Building Act. Local Government NZ supported her and was trying to get amendment through Parliament. ’’I’m disappointed we haven’t seen a more proactive response.’’

Every council had derelict buildings, a situation they often tried to deal with it through bylaws, Chadwick said.