28 August 2001

Council To Recoup ‘Reasonable’ Costs From Utility Operators

Auckland City Council is proposing to increase its charges to utility operators for the processing, inspection and audit of work on footpaths and roads.

Currently, operators are charged $45an hour, but this does not cover the full cost of specially trained staff. The Transport and Roading Committee has recommended an increase to $60 to cover staff costs and associated overheads.

The Committee chairwoman, Councillor Catherine Harland, said the increased charges would allow the Council to recoup all costs associated with inspecting and auditing work of both utility operators and others who undertake work in our roads and footpaths.

“It’s important that the Council cover its staff and administration costs when we are monitoring utilities to ensure work practices are up to scratch.”

Councillor Harland said three different pieces of legislation – the Electricity and Gas Act, the Telecommunications Act and the Local Government Act – meant that the resolutions detailing the increased charges had to be advertised separately for each Act.

The committee’s recommendation has to be approved by the Finance and Property Committee before being publicly notified.

ENDS

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