Online portal delivers simpler, faster building consents

Applying for a building consent in Horowhenua is now quicker and easier following the launch of a new online portal.

The portal enables people who need a building consent to apply, pay and track the progress of building consent applications online. Furthermore, those who lodge a complete application between 1 July and 31 July 2018 will go in the draw to win a GoPro Hero5 camera.*

Consents Manager Megan Leyland said Horowhenua District Council is the ninth council to introduce the portal, which is part of GoShift, an initiative involving 21 councils that aims to deliver greater consistency around building consents. In addition to introducing a single online portal, GoShift aims for all participating councils to use standard forms for building consent applications, use standard templates and checklists, provide aligned information on their websites, and use a single best-practice quality management system.

Ms Leyland said the GoShift portal increases efficiency and saves time for builders and others who need building consents.

“People can create templates for applications they use frequently, collaborate with colleagues such as landscape designers and engineers on an application, and use the same information to apply to different councils,” she said.

“In addition, the GoShift portal removes the need to provide multiple copies of forms, because everything is digital, and smart forms prompt people for relevant information only.

“Furthermore, there’s a checklist that ensures all the compulsory documents are included in applications, so they can be processed without unnecessary delays.”

The online portal also offers convenient access, Ms Leyland said.

“Building consent requests can now be lodged at any time, from anywhere with an internet connection.

“GoShift provides our community with a consistent, easy-to-use application process that makes getting a building consent simpler and faster.”

Horowhenua District Council made the portal available in April and it’s already proving popular, with more than 75% of building consent applications now being submitted through the portal, Ms Leyland said.

The GoShift portal can be accessed at https://goshift.co.nz.
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