Contractors to forfeit bond for road, footpath repairs

Building contractors who damage roads and footpaths will be fined by the Auckland City Council.

At present, contractors reimburse the council if it has to carry out repairs.

But the system has proved unsatisfactory and the damage is costing ratepayers up to $400,000 a year.

The council will charge contractors a "street damage deposit" based on the value of the work.

The money will be refunded if the contractor does not incur damage costs.

No deposit will be charged if street damage is unlikely.

Council staff will check sites and make sure contractors carry out remedial work during and after construction.

The council's call centre will log complaints about street damage, and the owner of the site will be asked to do repairs within 48 hours, or immediately if the damage is dangerous.

Planning and regulatory committee chairwoman Juliet Yates said the council had for too long fielded complaints from the public about the dangers of damaged footpaths.

Building contractors had a duty to avoid any health and safety risks to pedestrians and motorists.

The bylaw change would encourage that, she said.

People with mobility problems found it difficult to negotiate city streets under repair.

The council had also received complaints from pedestrians who had tripped in potholes and other obstacles.

"Developers have to recognise that the public have a right to walk along footpaths and every care has to be taken.

The Auckland construction industry, including Heavy Haulage and the Master Builders' Associations, were consulted about the charge. They said they preferred a standard fee or bond because it was easiest to include in their costs to clients.