Connectivity limiting remote building inspections in Queenstown Lakes

The government wants to make remote virtual inspections the default for building consents across New Zealand, but the Queenstown Lakes District Council says its own trials have exposed connectivity challenges in this district.

The QLDC dishes out more building consents relative to resident numbers than most other consenting authorities, and a spokesperson for the council says it trialled remote inspection "some years ago".

The goal was to see how effective they might be in certain situations, for example in some of the more remote parts of the district.

"The high-quality internet connectivity required by remote inspection software/apps was – and remains – not always available," the spokesperson says.

But, it hasn't put the council off completely, and remote inspections are being used on occasion.

"We sometimes use this method for simple inspections, or re-inspections, in areas where internet quality is good."

The current average time people are waiting for an inspection in Queenstown Lakes is approximately three days.

Over in Central Otago, district council planning and regulatory manager Lee Webster says inspection waiting times are in "a constant state of fluctuation".

The council does not offer remote inspections, but they have been considered, Mr Webster says.

As with Queenstown Lakes, in a large district geographically, network coverage throws up challenges.

The council has also been discussing which inspection types could be best suited to remote set-ups, and how to ensure remote inspections provide no greater risk for the council and, therefore, ratepayers at a later stage.

"It is encouraging to see central government is looking to this, which we hope will address any potential issues nationally rather than each TA (territorial authority) working through this independently, prior to its implementation."

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk on Tuesday announced a plan to seek feedback on the move in the second half of this year.

It is the government's view remote inspections will make building easier, quicker and cheaper by reducing travel times and delays, but some councils are being reluctant to embrace them.

"That's why the government is progressing work to make remote inspections the default approach across New Zealand," Minister Penk says in a written statement to media.

The move will involve using video and photos to check a tradie's work, rather than a building inspector having to turn up in person to a build site.

"This is particularly important in congested cities and in rural areas with large travel distances," Mr Penk says.

Remote inspections will also reduce transport emissions, improve record keeping and documentation, and reduce the time wasted by increasing flexibility for inspectors and building professionals alike on the day of inspection, he says.