Cr Russell Lund said making a submission should be a priority for the council, but staff had proposed not doing so.
"It seems to me as a new councillor that council makes submissions and has a position on every other item under the sun, but this sends a message that the council can’t be bothered about the future of Dunedin’s heritage."
Heritage buildings were a critical asset for tourism and economic development in Dunedin, he said.
"It is frankly irresponsible for us not to do our jobs to work in the best interests of the city.
"To ignore the opportunity to influence this key legislation would be a critical and important opportunity lost."
The Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill is broadly aimed at making seismic strengthening rules more pragmatic, less onerous and a better fit with earthquake risk.
However, Dunedin is part of an area reclassified as medium risk, after it had been considered low risk.
Cr Lund said the council should advocate for Dunedin to still be considered a low-risk seismic zone.
Success on that front would provide a huge boost to the city’s heritage building stock.
A council spokesman said staff did not intend to prepare a submission unless councillors directed them to do so.
"Instead, our focus is on the government’s recent announcements introducing a number of major legislative proposals prior to Christmas.
"These include the government’s Simplifying Local Government, Resource Management Act, rates capping and infrastructure funding proposals."
Members of the public and individual councillors were free to make their own submissions.
Protection of Dunedin’s heritage values remained a priority for the council, the spokesman said.
Proposals in the Amendment Bill appeared to be broadly acceptable.
"Our ability to challenge the science underpinning the seismic hazard models applied to Dunedin would also be limited."
The council needed to prioritise submissions "addressing legislation that has the most significant impact on our community".
Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker said the council should consider making a submission.
However, a "tsunami" of legislation affecting the council was coming.
"I think that we need to do all that we can to save the heritage in our city.
"And I don't think it's that the staff can't be bothered."
Southern Heritage Trust chairwoman Jo Galer said she believed the council should make a submission.
"It's too important to us to not pay attention to this — pay close attention to it."
Cr Lund urged building owners to have their say about the proposed legislation.
Submissions close on February 16.
