If you're planning to undertake earthworks on your property between October and April, you may need to apply for resource consent so Auckland Council can monitor any effect on the environment.
Without protection measures, earthworks and other land-disturbing activities can increase on-site erosion and sedimentation of waterways and estuaries.
When sediment is carried into waterways and estuaries it reduces water quality and can cause build-up in our harbours.
One way of controlling sediment is to carry out work in the driest season – October to April, often referred to as the earthworks season.
Tim Weight, Inspections Manager, Building Control, says the council is occasionally called on to investigate when earthworks have had a serious impact on the environment and caused damage to neighbouring properties.
“Before applying for building consent on a property where you are intending to undertake an excavation, consider your proposed construction approach,” he says.
“Increasingly with more challenging properties being developed around the region, property developers and their contractors are undertaking major excavations adjacent to other properties and buildings. This often causes a disruption in people’s lives while the matter is resolved at a greater cost to the developer than if the matter was addressed before the excavation started.”
We can provide guidance on the most appropriate protection measures before you start your earthworks or on any consents you might need. You can call the council on (09) 301 0101 or read more about earthwork measures.
Special Housing Areas ramp up
A lot of earthworks will be underway in several Special Housing Areas (SHAs) across Auckland this season, says Glenn Pope, Housing Project Office Senior Compliance Advisor.
Work on the first phase of the Whenuapai Village SHA continued throughout winter and is about to scale up, now the earthworks season has begun. The first phase will create about 650 homes over eight years.
Work will also start in other SHAs, including the Belmont SHA in Pukekohe, which will create 720 homes over 10 years.
“There will be a lot of dirt moving this summer right across Auckland as many of the projects within SHAs reach the subdivision and construction stage, with a marked increase in dwelling construction also,” says Glenn Pope.
“It’s fantastic to see activity ramping up, and we should see a number of developments really take shape over the next few months.”
