Media statement

2 October 2014

Auckland Council says fines against Auckland developer a timely reminder

On 6 August 2014 Auckland developer Donghua Liu pleaded guilty to two separate counts of failing to comply with conditions of a resource consent and performing building work without a consent.

He was sentenced today at the Auckland District Court and received a conviction this afternoon on both charges. Judge Dwyer acknowledged it was a serious breach of the consent. He said it wasn't minor offending. The Judge also commented that as Mr Liu’s occupation is a property developer he should have been aware of the legal requirements.

Liu was fined $7,125 for the Building Act charge and $10,700 on the Resource Management charge along with court costs of $130 on each of the two charges.

The charges arose out of building work Mr Liu was undertaking on properties he owned at 4 Westbury Ave, Remuera and 110 St Andrews Road, Epsom.

Ian McCormick, Manager of Auckland Council Building Control, is satisfied with the result

“It is important to remember that this is about people’s safety,” he says. “At both properties Mr Liu had excavated underneath the house and left the house inadequately supported, leaving the house at risk of collapse. When council officers first attended Westbury Avenue there were workers actually underneath the house.

“This is a salient reminder to developers that they need to ensure they have the appropriate resource and building consents in place before commencing any work, and that it is their responsibility to ensure that the work is done legally and safely, The council is always available to assist developers who may be uncertain as to their responsibilities and enable them to get it right first time,” says Mr McCormick.

Ends

© Scoop Media