​Changes to Building Control Services

Clutha District Council is making some changes to how our Building Control services are delivered.

We will continue to prioritise the processing of building consents and undertaking inspections within our statutory timeframes. However, from 14 October 2026, the way we manage inspections, enquiries, appointments, and communication is changing to help our Building Control staff work more effectively across all customers.

What to expect

Inspections

Majority of building inspections will be carried out remotely. There will be some exceptions where an on-site inspection is required, including first inspections, final inspections, and migrated applications where appropriate.

Please make sure you are ready for your inspection, including having approved plans and any required documentation available.

General enquiries

Building Control officers will no longer be available for unscheduled walk-in enquiries. If you would like to meet with a Building Control officer in person, please phone 034190232 to arrange an appointment. Planning enquiries are also only available via appointment.

Streamlining how you contact us

To help our Building Control staff manage workloads effectively and undertake work for all customers as efficiently as possible, we are streamlining how we receive enquiries, information, and documents.

Using the appropriate channel will help ensure information reaches the right place, is appropriately recorded, and can be managed by the Building Control team rather than relying on the availability of an individual officer.

Please use the following channels:

• Current building consents: Please send all enquiries, information and documents relating to a lodged building consent through the Objective Build portal. If you are having difficulty uploading or accessing the portal contact the Objective Build support line on 0800024508.
• General building enquiries: For enquiries about proposed building work or matters that are not associated with a lodged building consent, please email building@cluthadc.govt.nz and you will receive a response within 5 working days.
• Booking inspections: Please phone 034190232 to arrange a building inspection.
• In-person meetings: We will no longer be accepting unscheduled walk-in enquiries. If you would like to meet with a Building Control officer, please phone 034190232 to arrange an appointment. For planning enquiries, please phone 032622463.

Contacting individual Building Control officers

We ask that customers do not contact individual Building Control officers directly by phone or email regarding building matters.

Direct calls or emails to individual officers may not be responded to. Instead, all enquiries, information and documents should be directed through the appropriate channel above.

This approach will help ensure your enquiry is captured and can be responded to by the appropriate person, while allowing our Building Control officers to focus on consent processing, inspections and providing an effective and consistent service across all customers.

Getting a timely response

You can help us deliver an efficient Building Control service by:

• Seeking professional advice e.g. from a designer or architect early when planning building work. This can help save time and money throughout the building process.
• Being ready for your building inspection, including ensuring approved plans and any required documentation are available.
• Submitting complete applications with all required information and supporting documentation.
• Using the appropriate contact channel for your enquiry rather than contacting individual Building Control officers directly.

We have updated our Building Control website to make it easier for customers to find the information they need and navigate our Building Control services.

The website brings together useful information about building consents, including frequently asked questions, forms, checklists and guides, inspections, Objective Build, and information to help determine whether a building consent may be required.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us streamline the way we work. These changes will help our Building Control team manage work consistently and effectively across all customers.