Owners of earthquake-prone buildings in Central Otago have plenty of time in which to consider and undertake earthquake strengthening work.
The Government’s Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill classifies Central Otago as "medium risk" for earthquakes, allowing 10 years for assessment of buildings in that category, and 25 years for strengthening work to be done.
Under the new legislation, the threshold for defining an earthquake-prone building remains at 34% of the new building standard.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) planning and environment manager Louise van der Voort said the Act had avoided a "one size fits all approach" through its categorisation of high, medium and low-risk areas and prioritising geographic areas and buildings that posed greater risk to life safety.
Some regulations are still under development, including proposals to exclude certain buildings (including most residential buildings); and provide for an opt-in extension of up to 10 years to remediate category 1 listed heritage buildings and those buildings on the National Historic Landmarks List.
A national register of earthquake-prone buildings would be developed, and once the regulations were completed, the CODC would develop a register of earthquake-prone buildings using the methodology provided, Ms van der Voort said.
