The trust has felt the fall-out from the Christchurch earthquake with a $65,000 increase in insurance premiums for its 17 buildings, forcing it to drop cover for natural disasters and reinsure for fire insurance.
It will periodically review natural disaster cover.
Mr Hope said in his 2011-12 report to the trust's annual meeting last night the second significant impact from the quakes was reassessing the structural integrity of the buildings.
Work had previously been done on most buildings, but the trust was looking at what further work should be done to make buildings and the streets safer.
The third impact would be the outcome of the Royal Commission investigating the Canterbury earthquakes and what recommendations the Government accepted.
The trust would be lobbying on two points. -Heritage buildings, even of unreinforced masonry, were worth retaining.
A perspective must be retained in relation to earthquakes.
The Christchurch earthquake was a large event, close to terrain prone to instability.
"Oamaru is different. It is not located close to any known fault and is on much more stable ground," he said.
Most Oamaru heritage buildings had stone blocks often half a metre thick. These would always perform better than brick or other stone buildings.
Another major undertaking by the board over the past five months was the decision to refocus its strategic direction.
Essentially, more time and resources would be spent in.
• Developing a visitor attraction in the historic precinct.
• Leveraging off other initiatives to deliver visitors to the precinct and harbour.
• Developing a range of Victorian-themed visitor experiences.
• Optimising opportunities through improving communication.
• Continuing to work with key stakeholders to ensure heritage assets were preserved and promoted for visitors and locals.
Mr Hope said the emphasis would be on activity in the precinct, rather than just a heritage guardian for buildings.
