Council supports risk-based approach to earthquake strengthening

Published on 14 May 2015

14 May 2015

The Wanganui District Council supports the proposed changes to the Draft Earthquake Prone Buildings Amendment Bill announced by the Minister for Building and Housing Hon Nick Smith.

In a speech on Sunday, May 10, the Minister revealed proposed amendments to the Bill, which include categorising New Zealand into three seismic zones - high, medium and low - with each of these zones adhering to varying timeframes for seismic upgrades to a minimum level of 34 per cent of the New Building Standard (NBS).

The Wanganui District has been classified as being in the medium zone, which gives building owners a maximum timeframe of 10 years to complete an assessment and 25 years to complete seismic upgrade work.

Deputy Property Manager Leighton Toy says the proposed changes support the submission the Wanganui District Council put forward to the Select Committee on Earthquake Prone Buildings to request a more risk-based approach to earthquake strengthening.

“We are very pleased that the information we’ve seen from the Minister supports the view the Council has actively put before Government over the last two years about a risk-based approach and more affordable timeframes, rather than a ‘one size fits all’ system.

"We have a significant number of heritage buildings in our district which are required to be upgraded to 34 per cent of the New Building Standard. The changes to the Bill will take some pressure off building owners who are trying to retain heritage in our community while ensuring safety."

Other changes to the Bill include prioritising buildings used for education or emergencies, particularly in high or medium zoned areas, and excluding farm buildings, retaining walls, fences, monuments, wharves, bridges, tunnels and storage tanks from requiring earthquake strengthening work.

Building owners will need to meet a minimum of 34 per cent of the NBS when undertaking significant alterations to earthquake prone buildings and a national register of earthquake prone buildings will be developed with notices to be placed on buildings to state they are below the standard.