Heritage owners urged to get involved in Building Code Review

New Zealand Historic Places Trust Information release
12 July 2006

Owners of heritage buildings face the possibility of huge bills in the future for alteration work or changing the use of their properties if they don't push for changes to the Building Code now, says the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

The warning comes in the wake of a Government decision to carry out a review of the Building Code, the first comprehensive assessment since its introduction in 1991. The Code sets the performance requirements for the construction of buildings and houses.

Trust senior heritage policy advisor Robert McClean said the review would provide owners of heritage buildings with an opportunity to have input into a range of issues, including access, fire safety, strengthening, change of property use and alterations.

He said the existing Code lacked consistency in relation to heritage issues, with interpretations of various provisions often dependent on the experience of the relevant building inspector or local authority. As such, it was vital that the review take into account the views of heritage building owners and users.

"The Trust wants to ensure the country's historic heritage is well considered. We would like an improved code for heritage buildings as a result of the review, but to get the improvements we need affected owners to get involved and make submissions to Government."

Mr McClean said historic heritage needed to become a core requirement of the Code, rather than an ancillary issue. He likened the Building Code/heritage situation to that of a 1920's Ford Model T - as a classic car, no one expected it to meet the requirements of modern car design and safety, and yet, it could still be deemed roadworthy.

"What we want for heritage owners is a Building Code that recognises the uniqueness of historic buildings. That doesn't mean they should be exempt from the code - but rather the Code should be flexible enough to allow for solutions that can be achieved without the need for unnecessary legal proceedings."

Mr McClean said the Trust hoped for a win-win result from the review, with a Building Code that provided for safety access and sustainable heritage conservation. A worst case scenario could see owners of heritage buildings facing prohibitive costs to alter or change the use of their properties if there was no provision in the Code for historic places, he said.

The closing date for submissions is 31 August, 2006. A submission can be made online at www.dbh.govt.nz or alternatively you can reply by fax to 04 471 0798. You can also post your responses to: Building Code Review, Department of Building and Housing, PO Box 10-729, Wellington.

Contact for further information:
Robert McClean
Ph (04) 470 8053
Email: rmcclean@historic.org.nz