Lack of enforcement tools for doing something about buildings left to decay has been a bugbear for the council.
It has now added its support to a remit proposed by the Gisborne District Council that Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) advocate for legislative change enabling councils to "remediate the decaying condition of unoccupied derelict buildings that have deteriorated to a state where they negatively impact the amenity of the surrounding area".
LGNZ would also be asked to advocate for the government to "incentivise repurposing vacant buildings".
Dunedin city councillor Kevin Gilbert said during an infrastructure services committee meeting yesterday he had raised the issue with Cabinet minister Chris Bishop and was "told quite bluntly" a call to enable local action was not likely to get support.
The reasoning offered was it risked discouraging property investment and development, Cr Gilbert said.
The government was not being asked to do very much to sort out the situation, other than "wave a pen a couple of times", he said.
"I just pray that the government will listen to its people," Cr Gilbert said.
Cr Sophie Barker said anybody who travelled within the city or in others could see "disgraceful" examples of demolition by neglect.
"That’s what makes the city look ugly . . . and neglected," she said.
Council customer and regulatory general manager Claire Austin said enforceability was key.
The risk to councils from the existing situation was they could get tied up in legal action "with no real outcome".
