Permit delay stalls production on The Block

Filming of the latest season of The Block has been pushed back due to a building permit delay for the South Gisborne “farmlet” project.

A permit hold up has delayed production on The Block. Picture: David Geraghty

A permit hold up has pushed back filming of The Block meaning the huge TV production will get underway considerably later than it has in past years.

With an April start date at the show’s South Gisborne site, contestants had better rug up as they will be building through winter on the mini farmlets they are tasked with creating this season.

207 McGeorge Rd, South Gisborne, is the new site of The Block. Picture: David Geraghty

“We had a bit of a delay with permits,” The Block’s executive producer Julian Cress confirmed.

“Not council related, more like plan of subdivision stuff where you just have to sit and wait.

“Whenever we take on something that is the biggest Block ever it always comes with challenges, but we love a challenge. We always want to take it to the next level and do something different.”

The Block this year is an enormous undertaking as the show heads to the country.

“In the first series of the show back in 2003 the contestants (each) renovated 73sq m of apartment and this year they will be doing 40,000sq m; each contestant is doing 10 acres so that is 40,000sq m,” Cress said.