Carl Taylor: Combined Building Supplies Chairperson on the law changes for granny flat construction

There’s a bit of mixed messaging surrounding the granny flat proposal, but it's mostly being received well.  

The Government's new discussion document proposes allowing small structures up to 60 square metres to be built without resource consents.  

It's part of efforts to make it easier and more affordable for families to live the way that suits them.  

Combined Building Supplies Chairperson Carl Taylor told Mike Hosking that it's unclear if an engineer's report is still required.  

But, he says, assuming the granny flats still need to meet the building code, there shouldn't be too much to be concerned about. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Wading seven past seven change coming to once you can
build without the myriad of red tape that goes with it.
The need for resource consent for a structure up to
sixty squares is going the chairperson that the combined building
supplies co up. Carl Taylor's with us on this, Carl morning.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
Good.

Speaker 1 (00:12):
What do you I broadly speaking, good idea or not?

Speaker 2 (00:15):
Oh? Like, I think anything that's going to create some
more affordable housing for people living, it's got to be
a good thing, right.

Speaker 1 (00:22):
I reckon what about the engineer's report. I couldn't work
it out whether you still need an engineer's report or not.
I'm getting mixed messages. Do you have a clarity on
that or not?

Speaker 2 (00:30):
Yeah, I'm getting mixed message on that. Tool. From my
understanding is that these little granny flats are still going
to have to meet the building code. So, you know,
assuming that that's the case, and I don't think we've
got too much to be concerned about in.

Speaker 1 (00:40):
That case, what's the point of resource consent? Having built
a couple of things in the last couple of years,
I cannot for the life of me, apart from the
council somewhere having some paperwork. I can't work out what
it's for.

Speaker 2 (00:52):
Mostly red tape. I mean, obviously it's there to restrict
what you can and can't do. But you know, it'd
be great to cut some of that red tape, which
is resource which the resource concinas a run out for.

Speaker 1 (01:02):
What about infrastructure, so pipes, I mean, councils need to
stay on top of how many structures are. If everyone
goes and builds a granny flat, that's a lot of pipes,
isn't it.

Speaker 2 (01:11):
Yeah, that possibly could be an issue. Looked down in
christ Church with rebuilt some of their infrastructure, so it
might be okay, but at the end of the day
you're probably talking an extra toll and extra shower. I
don't think everybody's going to be building these, but like
I say, Mike, anything that's going to create some more
affordable housing. At least the government are doing what they are.

(01:31):
They told us that we're going to do, so we're
pretty happy with it.

Speaker 1 (01:34):
And does it take cost out I mean literally yes,
but much in the grand scheme.

Speaker 2 (01:38):
Of things, it doesn't change anything in terms of labor
or materials, but it means that instead of having to
go and build you know, two hundred square meters in
a new subdivision. We're an only person that might only
require one regiment a lounge. It sort of cuts costs
in that regard you.

Speaker 1 (01:57):
And so part of what they were saying yesterday was
there's demand for They've done it for thirty square meters.
People went off on it, so it's sixty square meters.
They say, there are people who want to do this.
Is that true?

Speaker 2 (02:08):
Well, there's people that can't afford housing full stop, so
you know this is a way to make that easier
for them. So, yeah, there is a demand for it
and unbelievable work.

Speaker 1 (02:16):
Yeah, good stuff, CALP, nice to talk to you, appreciate it.
This consultation going on middle of next year. The past
the law allegedly Carl Taylor, chairperson of the Combined Building
Supplies co Op nine Minutes past seven

Speaker 2 (02:26):
For more from the Mic Asking Breakfast, listen live to
news talks that'd be from six am weekdays, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.