Media query about short term visitor accommodation in the Mackenzie District.
Request and responses in blue:
What triggers a property being investigated?
If short term visitor accommodation is found to be operating at a property, this will trigger an investigation to ascertain if it is in compliance with the Mackenzie District Plan.
What does the investigation process involve, from initial identification through to resolution?
Information is gathered from various sources and is then assessed to determine if the activity is operating in compliance with the Mackenzie District Plan, Resource Management Act 1991, Building Act 2004, and related legislation. If a contravention is identified, property owners and property management companies are required to cease unauthorised activity and apply for the necessary consents. Site monitoring is undertaken to ensure compliance, and enforcement is carried out if contraventions are found to be continuing.
Checks are also made to determine if the tourism and promotion charge for secondary accommodation is being applied to the properties rates.
What information or evidence does the council seek?
Information is sought on guest numbers, the number of units on a property, configuration and physical characteristics of units which are used for short-term visitor accommodation. Council records for resource consents, and building consents, and rates, are checked through the process.
Could you provide an update on the number of properties currently under investigation, investigations finalised, and any yet to commence?
655 properties are being investigated currently.
An investigation is finalised when either a resource consent is issued (if required), or the activity is found to be, or reverts to a permitted activity under the residential visitor accommodation rules within the Mackenzie District Plan, and/or the use of the building and building code compliance requirements are being, and if applicable rates are being charged. This data has not yet been collated.
Has the council received any feedback about the compliance programme? If so, what has the public feedback been?
The team are unaware of any feedback specific to the programme.