When building it’s important to consider any natural hazards that could be present on the land.
Natural hazards include:
- Erosion (including coastal erosion, bank erosion and sheet erosion)
- Falling debris (including soil, rock, snow and ice)
- Subsidence
- Inundation (including flooding, overland flow, storm surge, tidal effects and ponding)
- Slippage
New building work or alterations should be designed with any natural hazard in mind. You can apply for a building consent to carry out work on land with hazards; however, you’ll need to demonstrate how you will protect the building, the land, and any other properties potentially affected by the work. However should consent be granted notification of the risk is require on the title to the land. This provides authorities with immunity (on the basis that the owner is knowingly building on land affected by the natural hazard).”It also alerts future owners.
A property information memorandum (PIM) or land information memorandum (LIM) will identify any hazards on file with Council.
For more information see sections 71 and 72 of the Building Act 2004.
Tauranga City Council and Whakatane District Council Natural Hazards Practice Note (1mb pdf)