Highway Housemovers owner Mick Daly (in truck) won't be moving any houses in Whangārei any time soon after his permit was revoked. Photo / File
Highway Housemovers owner Mick Daly (in truck) won't be moving any houses in Whangārei any time soon after his permit was revoked. Photo / File
A Northland house mover has been grounded until he repairs damage allegedly caused while moving a home through Whangārei, and gives assurances such destruction won't happen again.
Mick Daly's permit to transport houses has been revoked by Waka Kotahi/New Zealand Transport Agency after a complaint from Whangārei District Council.
Daly- owner of Highway Housemovers - can no longer transport houses in Whangārei until he satisfies the council's demands for restitution.
Daly, who could not be reached for comment, is believed to be behind a trail of destruction while moving a house from Kamo out to McLeod Bay.
Highway Housemovers owner Mick Daly (right) gives directions to his workers while trying to bring the house up the driveway. Photo / File
On the night of December 2, Daly allegedly seriously damaged Whangārei's Te Matau ā Pohe lift bridge, including four cameras, a totem pole pushed out of alignment and two barrier arms.
He also admitted to cutting down several road signs along Whangārei Heads Rd before police stopped him the next morning in Parua Bay.
Daly resumed his journey the following night, allegedly bringing down powerlines, and cutting down and damaging McLeod Bay pōhutukawa trees as he delivered the house to its new address on Stuart Rd.
Significant damage was inflicted to the house during its journey. Photo / File
The council, Northland Police and Waka Kotahi investigated.
Daly has previously denied damaging the lift bridge, although conceded damage to the signs was linked to his house-moving operation.
Council chief executive Rob Forlong said discussions between council staff and local Waka Kotahi staff prompted council to complain about Daly's alleged actions.
Forlong said surveillance video from the lift bridge and reports made in the Northern Advocate had been used as evidence to support their complaint.
Daly allegedly cut a pōhutukawa tree down in the process of moving the house. Photo / File
The council is also investigating whether the district plan or any bylaws had been breached, to see if they can prosecute.
That decision would be made at the next full council meeting in February.
"There's significant evidence for us to undertake an investigation and we know what the damage is, the next step is proving who caused the damage," Forlong said.
Whangārei District Council chief executive Rob Forlong. Photo / File
Forlong confirmed Daly had contacted council to establish what was required to reinstate his permit.
While discussions were ongoing, Forlong speculated Daly would have to pay for any damage he caused, assure council he would not cause such damage in the future, and possibly implement an audit or monitoring programme.
"[Daly] will have satisfy my team and NZTA that he is worthy of [getting his permit back]."
Forlong said if Daly satisfied these demands, council would take it into account when considering prosecution.
Signs were chopped down along Whangārei Heads Rd. Photo / File
Whangārei mayor Sheryl Mai said it was important to show this damage would not be tolerated.
"I think it's pretty obvious that we were upset at the damage to our infrastructure, particularly the bridge and then the trees and signs, although at this stage it is still alleged," she said.
"Damage to our infrastructure and our trees beside the road without care is totally unacceptable and I'm pleased that we've acted swiftly in this case and Mr Daly won't be moving houses in the near future without proving that this sort of damage won't occur."
