Got It Nailed - January '26

16 Jan 2026

#COUNCIL NEWS

Got It Nailed

Issue 55: December 2025

This issue:

1. 2025 in review
2. New consenting system
3. Inspection bookings
4. Legislative changes
5. Storm water solutions
6. Customer engagement
7. Consent statistics

2025 in Review

I know it’s a bit of a cliché, but each year seems to go by faster than the previous and this year was no exception. With the restructure of the council, a new consenting system and the ever-increasing regulatory changes driven from central government, it has all proven to be a bit of a challenge to get our head around.

My team and I would like to thank you for all your patience and understanding this year, while we have been implementing these changes. Next year will bring more changes, and with each increment of change we hope to bring you an improved level of service. Exciting times!

Whilst potentially not implemented in 2026, the change to the liability settings within the construction industry will be the biggest building regulatory change since the leaky homes crisis. This will affect all of us that work within the construction industry and may well drive change in how we operate into the future, something for us to keep an eye on.

For further information on the changes click here and have a read, though you might need a cup of tea and a bickie as it will take a bit of time to get through it all.

New Consenting System - Objective Building

A friendly reminder of a few key points:

1. Please only upload documents and new applications, including Code Compliant Certificates (CCC) into the new build system.
a. the Simpli portal is no longer supported for use by council
b. emailing an individual with information can be easily misplaced or unduly delayed, as they may be away on leave or otherwise absent.
2. If you can’t access your existing consent, please call the Objective Support team 0800 024 508 and they will get you the access you need. This is not a function council can perform.
3. Please ensure you get the CCC application, and all the required documentation uploaded as soon as the work is finished so we can get those CCC’s issued. If this is not your responsibility, please make sure you advise the person that is responsible for this, as they might not be aware.

Inspection Bookings

Another friendly reminder - before starting any work, please ensure the consent has been paid for in full and all Licenced Building Practitioners (LBPs) notifications (if restricted building work / RBW) have been submitted. Prior to booking your inspection, please follow these simple steps:

Ensure you know and provide the consent number to the council team member booking your inspection.
Review the inspection regime and only request the specific inspection type/s (e.g. Pre-Pour or Framing Pre Wrap) on the inspection list within the consent. This allows for an efficient booking process for all.
Ensure you know who will be on site for that inspection and include their contact details.
If you leave a message, please ensure they are clear details (as identified above), including name and phone number. This means the person returning your call can be prepared and will be able to make the booking process much quicker and more efficient for you.

Legislative Changes

The addition to Schedule 1, Small Stand-alone dwellings (Granny flats) has not yet received its royal ascent, which means it is not yet law. However, it is not far away and we understand that it will be officially adopted into law early in the new year.

This is a reasonably complex exemption and requires significant consideration by the owner before deciding whether this is the right fit or not. For more information on this exemption go to https://www.building.govt.nz/about-building-performance/all-news-and-updates/granny-flats-building-consent-exemption-set-for-early-2026

Storm Water Solutions

Timaru District Council’s (TDC) Acceptable Solution #1 for above ground stormwater attenuation tanks are well established. These are to be established when additional hardstand, impervious surfaces are constructed on a site.

There is also a second acceptable solution to standardise soakage device design and dimensions, to be utilised in our stormwater management areas with more permeable ground conditions (Pleasant Point, Temuka and Geraldine). This is to simplify the process for determining dimensions of the soakage device and identify a design that allows for regular inspection and maintenance.

Standardised Dimensions

In circumstances where a TDC piped stormwater network is not present or available, the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP) rule 5.96 applies. This rule sets out the permitted conditions for discharges of stormwater to land where contaminants may enter groundwater. The conditions include the following requirements for the design of the stormwater disposal system to ground:

1. The discharge is not from, into or onto contaminated or potentially contaminated land; and

2. The discharge:

(a) does not cause stormwater from up to, and including, a 24-hour duration 10% Annual Exceedance Probability rainfall event to enter any other property; and
(b) does not result in the ponding of stormwater on the ground for more than 48 hours, unless the pond is part of the stormwater treatment system; and
(c) is located at least 1m above the seasonal high-water table that can be reasonably inferred for the site, at the time the discharge system is constructed; and
(d) is only from land used for residential, educational or rural activities; and
(e) does not occur where there is an available reticulated stormwater system, except where incidental to a discharge to that system; and
(f) is not from a system that collects and discharges stormwater from more than five sites.

Using the above design requirements set out by the LWRP along with the sizing calculations and procedure from the Building Code E1: Surface Water (E1), standard soakage device dimensions have been determined for multiple bands of additional impervious site coverage from 30-250m² and where impervious surfaces are less than 70% of total site coverage.

Standardised Design

Stormwater management systems are notorious for being neglected, until the big deluge occurs and all of a sudden our private properties, roads, etc. are subject to nuisance ponding. This can often be mitigated through regular inspection and maintenance of our drainage devices and systems. Most designers, builders and drainage trades will be aware of the Rock Soak Pit and Chamber Soak Pit solutions in Figure 13 of E1. These two solutions are limited in their ability to achieve building code clause E1.3.3(d) which says:

Drainage systems for the disposal of surface water shall be constructed to:

(d) Provide reasonable access for maintenance and clearing blockages.

The standard design to be installed for TDC Acceptable Solution #2, supplies clear access to the chamber receiving the discharge from the impervious site coverage. This access chamber allows for easy inspection to identify blockages and the need for any necessary maintenance.

For more information on TDC Acceptable Solution #2 or if you have any comments on the standard dimensions and design, please contact the TDC Stormwater Team at stormwater@timdc.govt.nz

NOTE: Please ensure this information/design is included on the plans within the Building Consent application.

Customer Engagement Programme

We are continuing to widen our customer engagement across the district and in the new year we will be hosting sessions out in the Temuka and Geraldine services centres once a month. This will help to better connect and engage with those of you that may find it a challenge getting into the main Timaru office.

Further information will follow in the new year as to when these sessions will commence and the team will look forward to seeing you there and assisting you with your queries.

Also, if you and or your team would like an opportunity to discuss your concerns, ask questions, or find out more about those things that have been nagging you for some time, I am always available. I would love an opportunity to come and have a chat at a time that suits. So, please contact me on jayson.ellis@timdc.govt.nz or 0274346053, I’ll look forward to hearing from you.