There's a debate over who should be responsible for the consequences of building in high-risk areas. 

The Insurance Council is asking the Government to ensure natural hazard changes to the Resource Management Act mean people don't build in what it's calling "dumb places".

Urban designer Bruce Weir told Ryan Bridge if building on a risky site comes down to personal responsibility, there needs to be a paying factor holding people accountable. 

Weir says if someone drives drunk they lose their licence and know they aren't insured. 

He questions why people should be bailed out when it comes to knowingly doing stupid things when it comes to property. 

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