AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

11 May 2007

Performance gains despite job market pressures

Major improvements in consent processing, enforcement procedures and customer services are noted in a report to the council’s Planning and Regulatory Committee.

In the quarter year ending March, 85 per cent of consents were processed in 20 working days with a high of 91 per cent in January.

Although requests for building inspections were up 28 per cent in March, most were delivered within a day of asking.

An Australasian-wide shortage of qualified candidates in the job market continues to impact the council’s performance in issuing land use and subdivision consents. Ongoing challenges in recruiting are largely attributable to the limited number of candidates graduating with planning qualifications from tertiary institutions. The council is targeting graduates from associated disciplines such as geography and environmental science to secure staff.

Requests for Land Information Memoranda (LIMs) continue to be answered with a speedy turnaround. In March, 73 per cent were applied for on-line and 96 per cent of urgent LIMs delivered within four hours, setting a benchmark for local authorities.

Prosecutions in the March quarter included two against food premises and two under the swimming pool fencing act.

Committee chairperson Glenda Fryer said that the regulatory arm of the council was often faced with the competing demands of residents and industry clients and it was constantly under pressure to meet expectations.

“We’re seeing great improvements in processes and procedures but a limited pool of qualified job seekers can put the brakes on progress despite the council’s best efforts to recruit,” she said.

ENDS

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