A proposed change to local planning laws prohibits removal of dead trees from private property for nine months of the year between April and December.

It’s one of many stopgap changes to the building design guidelines until a more comprehensive review is finalised early next year – more than three years late. 

The restriction is designed to “protect nesting fauna”, but Wagga Housing Industry Association (HIA) branch president Glen Sewell worried about “mums and dads trying to build a house on a block with a dead tree in the middle” being forced to down tools for months on end.

Construction industry heavyweights worry the anomaly is symptomatic of a planning department that’s been gutted as part of a council-wide restructure. 

Council’s two most experienced “A1” building inspectors have left, requiring Albury and Lockhart council staff to tick off on Wagga’s most important projects. 

Wagga town planner Garry Salvestro said developments like the city’s first convention centre and the Bomen freight hub would suffer without “high level building surveyors capable of assessing them”. 

“Restructures are fantastic, but they can also mean delays, because you have a brain drain,” Mr Salvestro said. 

“We’re relying on people from out of town, which can add enormous costs to developments.”

Council general manager Alan Eldridge refused an interview, but in a written statement said the short-staffed planning department was merely a function of council being a “large organisation”. 

Incidentally, Mr Eldridge on Friday also blamed council’s “communication issues” on the size of the organisation. 

“Recruitment to fill vacant building surveyor positions will commence following the appointment of the City Development Manager,” Mr Eldridge said. 

“There are a number of measures currently in place to ensure that all certification requirements are met. 

“These include the sharing of resources with other local councils and other employment contracts.”

Wagga council is still investigating dodgy development approvals that could cost ratepayers millions of dollars in law suits.