Crack down on unsafe buildings

Mr Butler was responding to a question from Cr Rowena Black at the March 27 meeting.

“What role or authority does the council have in ensuring that privately owned buildings, both businesses and residences are maintained and are kept at an adequate level of safety and/or street appeal when they impact on a public area, walkway or streetscape of a community or town?” Cr Black said.

Mr Butler said councils could issue notices, orders, fines and seek court orders where breaches of the legislation were of great enough risk.

“However, about one per cent of the matters council investigates move to Notices of Intention to issue an order and then through to orders,” he said.

“In one instance council has constructed protection barriers to protect the public and council assets as a result of building material falling off the building onto the footpath in Sanger Street.”

Mr Butler was referring to the Star Hotel, which is on the agenda for the April council meeting.

“It is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain a structure and comply with relevant legislation,” Mr Butler said.