The Otago Regional Council has become the first regional council to be accredited and registered as a building consent authority, meaning it is now responsible for the building control of dams and their associated structures in Otago.
Previously, these matters were handled by district and city councils.
ORC environmental engineering and natural hazards director Dr Gavin Palmer said the regional council had successfully demonstrated its capability to operate as a building consent authority (BCA) to International Accreditation NZ and the Department of Building and Housing.
"The regional council had completed a significant programme of work over the past year to develop and implement the systems and procedures necessary to undertake this new role," Dr Palmer said.
Engineering and hazards committee chairman Cr Stephen Woodhead said the regional council was the first regional council to be accredited and registered as a BCA.
Dams played an important role for the communities of Otago, he said.
"With a number of ageing dams, future water storage developments and more stringent regulations regarding dam safety, building standards are vital to provide assured safety for users and those affected by dams.
"The ORC's new role will help fulfil that and will complement its regulatory role under the Resource Management Act," Cr Woodhead said.
People wanting to apply for building consents, code compliance certificates and certificates of acceptance needed to apply to the regional council.
Dam owners could obtain further information from the regional council's website.
