Many construction and demolition activities are inherently noisy. However, noise generated during construction, maintenance, and demolition work is generally of a temporary nature. Provided ongoing noise does not occur at inconvenient times, the adverse effects can generally be avoided or mitigated.

Construction sites often have a resource or building consent that allows for different noise levels or working hours. The District Plan requires that all construction activity must comply the Construction Noise NZS 6803:1999 Standard: Acoustics (see below).  This means that loud noise activities such as concrete pumping is likely to breach the 75 dBA Lmax, prior to 7:30 am. However if the activity is within a greenfield area with no occupied dwellings within close proximity (100m), and provided the Site Manager has notified any occupied neighbouring dwellings 24 hours prior, an activity such as a concrete pour could take place after 0630.

Mon – Fri

• 6.30am – 7.30am : low level noise activities, arrival set up for work
• 7.30am – 6.00pm : construction noise permitted
• 6.00pm – 8.00pm : construction can continue at reduced noise levels

If general construction/ building work starts prior to the hours listed below, then this is something Council needs to be made aware of.

Sat

• 7.30am – 6.00pm only permitted

Sunday and Public Holidays

• No construction work allowed

For more information, and to understand the set upper limits in db(A) for construction work noise in residential areas, please visit Standards New Zealand - Construction Noise: Know the Limits.

The standard also contains provisions relating to:

• the measurement of noise from construction, maintenance, and demolition work
• the assessment of such noise to determine whether action is required to control those noise emissions.

In the event of non-compliance, action can be taken under the appropriate sections of the Resource Management Act.

To report an issue please contact the Council on 0800 965 468 (0800WMKGOV), email office@wmk.govt.nz or use the Snap Send Solve app.

Note: To ensure the correct location of the issue is recorded, please send from where an issue has occurred. If you can't, send us the Snap Send Solve with as much location detail in the content as you can. Issues reported using Snap Send Solve can only be attended to during normal office hours.

A building consent is required before building a shed, tunnel house or glasshouse unless the detached building falls under certain exemption criteria. If the shed, tunnel house or glasshouse falls under any of the below exemptions, you may not need a building consent:

• Buildings up to 10 square metres in floor area
• Single-storey detached buildings exceeding 10, but not exceeding 30 square metres in floor area, constructed of lightweight materials
• Buildings up to 30 square metres in floor area using a kitset or prefabricated building where a manufacturer or supplier has had the design carried out or reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer
• Buildings up to 30 square metres in floor area where a Licensed Building Practitioner is to carry out or supervise design and construction.

If the shed, tunnel house or glasshouse is closer than its own height from either the boundary or a residential building a building consent is required.

Before you start building please make sure you meet all the exemption requirements. Since 31 August 2020, several new building consent exemptions are in place regarding garden sheds.  Check the full summary of exemptions.

All exempt work must comply with any other relevant legislation, such as the Building Code, the Resource Management Act 1991, and the Waimakariri District Plan.

Depending on the size and design of your structure, the work (design and/or construction) may be required to be carried out by a Chartered Professional Engineer and/or Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP).

If your structure is close to a boundary, and you have the written approval from your neighbours, you can apply for a Deemed Permitted Boundary Activity. This application replaces the need to apply for a resource consent but you may still need to apply for a building consent, if required.  For further information check out the Building Services page or call us on 0800 965 468.

For more information please contact the Council on 0800 965 468 (0800WMKGOV) or email office@wmk.govt.nz

The best time of day to pour concrete is often in the early morning or in the evening to avoid the heat of the day.

Concrete can be affected by the weather, both hot and cold, so to give the mixture the best chance to harden and cure often means undertaking pre-dawn or late evening pours.  This often occurs in new or ongoing subdivisions.

Please be patient as the work is usually only a few hours in duration.