Grey District Council — Property Due Diligence Guide
Grey District Council governs the central West Coast, with a population of approximately 13,500. Greymouth is the largest town on the West Coast and serves as the region's commercial and administrative hub. The district includes Greymouth, Cobden, Blaketown, and surrounding rural areas along the Grey River valley.
Quick Facts
Useful Links
How to Order a LIM Report
Contact Grey District Council directly to order a LIM. Standard processing takes 10 working days.
Grey LIMs cover building consents, resource consents, rates, zoning, flood risk (particularly important near the Grey River), and contaminated land. Given the district's mining and industrial heritage, contaminated land checks are important.
The Grey River and its tributaries are the primary flood risk for the district. Check flood hazard mapping carefully for any property near waterways.
District Plan Zones
Grey District Plan zones include:
- Residential Zone: Town residential areas in Greymouth and surrounding settlements
- Rural Zone: Farming and rural land
- Commercial Zone: Greymouth town centre and commercial areas
- Industrial Zone: Industrial areas supporting the local economy
Planning rules are relatively permissive, reflecting the lower development pressure on the West Coast.
Natural Hazards
Grey district's natural hazard profile:
- Flooding: The Grey River is a major flood risk. Greymouth has a flood wall protecting the town, but surrounding areas remain vulnerable.
- Coastal erosion: Cobden and Blaketown face ongoing coastal erosion from the Tasman Sea.
- Earthquakes: Proximity to the Alpine Fault means significant seismic risk from a potential magnitude 8+ event.
- Land instability: Hill areas and former mining sites may be unstable.
Building Consent & Code Compliance
Building consent is processed by Grey District Council. Standard processing targets 20 working days.
West Coast building requires robust materials and design to handle high rainfall, coastal conditions, and seismic risk. Greymouth's flood protection infrastructure influences building requirements in certain areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Grey River flood wall protect Greymouth?
Greymouth has a flood protection wall along the Grey River that protects the town centre and residential areas from river flooding. However, properties outside the flood wall protection, or in areas subject to surface water flooding, may still be at risk. The LIM will show the flood hazard status of a specific property.
What are property prices like in Greymouth?
Greymouth offers some of New Zealand's most affordable property, with median house prices well below the national average. This reflects the remote location, limited employment options, Alpine Fault risk, and high rainfall. For buyers comfortable with these factors, it can represent good value.
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