15 August 2014

More buildings added to Earthquake Prone Building List

A further 14 city buildings have been added to the Earthquake Prone Building List as the Palmerston North City Council continues its drive to upgrade all city buildings to meet Building Act 2004 requirements.

Buildings are defined as earthquake-prone and having a greater risk of collapse in a moderate earthquake if they are assessed as 33 per cent below the Building Act 2004 code.

“This is all about making Palmerston North a safer city,” says Peter Eathorne, General Manager Customer Services.

“We began assessing city buildings just over two years ago and it is likely to take another two years to complete the project, as we continue assessing buildings and adding those that are below the standard.”

Recent additions include:
• Manawatu Motorcycles on Andrew Young Street
• Ballentynes on Broadway
• Animates on Church Street
• Churchyard, rear-building 384 Church St
• Order of St Johns, Cuba Street
• Norfolk Chambers 16-18 Grey St
• Bed Barn, 5-7 Grey St
• 126-130 King St
• Presbyterian Church property 85-89 Milson Line
• Central Rentals, 96 Princess St
• Princeway Panel Beaters. Princess St
• Cantlon Building 75-79 The Square
• Goldsack / Verdict, 95-96 The Square
• Order of St Johns, Willis St

Peter Eathorne says once an assessment is completed it is forwarded to the owner for comment. They then have a month to supply Council with an independent report from a qualified structural engineer, or accept the Council’s assessment. If there is no evidence to the contrary then the building is added to the Earthquake Prone Building List.

Once the month is up the information is placed on the Earthquake Prone Building List.

Meanwhile, Palmerston North City Council will consider a report covering all Council-owned Earthquake Prone Buildings in October.

The full list can be found at http://www.pncc.govt.nz/media/2175185/earthquake-prone-list-pncc-aug-2014.pdf.

ENDS

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