Councils want to change how building consents are handled

The sea's rising twice as fast as previously thought -- with some areas around Auckland and Wellington sinking roughly three or four millimetres a year.

An expert in natural hazards and planning says councils should be liable for permitting buildings in risky coastal areas.

LGNZ President Stuart Crosby says they already are.

He says from time to time the environment court can overturn the consents, which puts the liability onto councils which is grossly unfair.