The Christchurch earthquake and Japan's tsunami hang over a decision whether to use the Waitaki District Council headquarters building during major civil defence emergencies in the district.
Yesterday, the council's committee of the whole recommended the council chambers on the third floor of its Thames St building be used as the emergency operations headquarters during a major emergency, but some councillors were concerned how well it would stand up in a major earthquake.
The committee also recommended formal discussions be held with St Kevin's College to use it as an alternative centre and a budget be prepared to ensure both sites met civil defence requirements.
That follows a report from the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management that found the emergency headquarters behind the North Otago Centenary building in Severn St was inadequate.
Emergency services manage Chris Raine told the committee yesterday other sites had been considered for housing civil defence during major emergencies, but the council's headquarters building and St Kevin's were identified as the best.
However, before the council makes a final decision at its meeting next monthcouncillors want to know how the headquarters building would stand up to an earthquake.
In particular, they want to know what strengthening work was carried out when the former chief post office was redeveloped as the council's headquarters in 1993-94.
Committee chairman Jim Hopkins pointed out the ministry's report recommending using the headquarters building was prepared in October, before the second Christchurch earthquake.
Cr Kevin Malcolm raised the issue of a major tsunami, but Mr Raine said St Kevin's was above a 1-in-3000-year tsunami level.
The council had budgeted $500,000 for relocating the emergency management centre, but was told the cost could be between $750,000 and $1 million.
The alternative of using the council's headquarters, with equipment and staff being brought in for a major emergency, could cost about $10,000, depending on the final budget.
