Designation response to October 2024 weather event

The designation of the Dunedin region was made by the Mayor of Dunedin at 11:55 PM on October 3, 2024.

The whole Dunedin region has been 'designated' under the Building Act 2004 to help manage ongoing risks to people from buildings affected by flooding and land instability as a result of the October 2024 weather event.

The designation was made in response to the housing impacts which resulted in a number of residential properties being significantly damaged or rendered unsuitable or unsafe for occupation.

About this designation:

The designation allows us to take specific actions under the Building Act to manage buildings in an emergency. Visit Designated areas for building emergency management (www.building.govt.nz) to learn what a designation means.

The designation will be reviewed every 90 days by Dunedin City Council to confirm that the powers conferred by the designation is still required to manage the response and recovery.

Designated Area:

The original designated area comprised properties within the wider Dunedin district that were placarded (stickered) to ensure the safety of building occupiers.

Designation Review Decision:

The Dunedin City Council gives notice that it has decided to partially terminate the designation made under the Building Act 2004 - Designated areas for emergency management of buildings.

The decision to partially terminate the designation was made by Dunedin City Council

The locations included within the revised designation area are shown on the map below.

Powers under a designation

The Building Act provides the Dunedin City Council a number of powers that may be exercised in respect to all buildings within the designated area, including the ability to:

• enter buildings
• complete post-event assessments
• direct the evacuation of buildings
• put in place measures for protecting buildings and keeping people at a safe distance
• place notices and signs on buildings
• direct the owners of buildings or land to provide information
• direct works (urgent and non-urgent) to remove or reduce risks
• direct works for long-term use or occupation of a building.

Assessment placards

Visit Placards (www.building.govt.nz) issued to properties after a natural disaster for information about the different placards (stickers) and what they mean.

Non-compliance and penalties

The Building Act sets out a number of offences and penalties for non-compliance in this matter.

Penalties include fines of between $5000 and $200,000.

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