The increased rumblings on compliance costs, delays and process frustrations hilight the impact local Government bureaucracy is having on NZ. The stories are hair raising and according to some, are making a lot of small scale building unachievable.
Council reactions to the lunacy created by NZ's insistence on retaining Joint and Several Liability, which has left them carrying the costs in an increasing litigious society, has multiplied the compliance documents they require tenfold! To avoid possible legal suits they have submerged the process in a sea of demands and imposed a process that is often breathtakingly arrogant. Has it improved the situation? Unlikely!
Central Government seems averse to providing effective leadership - and is tip toeing around the issue, throwing out crumbs of reform that do not address the substantive issues.
But architects don't help! On the one hand they claim the right to be the arbiters of design and construction standards, On the other they seldom agree within themselves on design issues. And they often become advocates for vested interests which compromise the bigger picture.
What's the answer? I suspect a reduction in the 'policemen' role of Local Government, the acceptance of other's skills, and an equitable allocation of responsibility will help. A little humility by the vocal members of the architectural profession will also help.
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