Media Release

24 November 2016

Queensgate Shopping Centre – Update 24 November

• Shopping Centre to partially reopen on Friday

• Action to be taken on damaged carpark

Over 80 retailers at the Queensgate Shopping Centre will open their doors for business on Friday 25th November (tomorrow) after a comprehensive assessment of the property by engineering and construction consultants and Hutt City Council engineers. In addition to the store openings, over 590 carparks will also be available for shoppers. Farmers will be one of the major stores to reopen following on from Countdown’s opening last weekend.

Queensgate Shopping Centre comprises 13 separate buildings, including one building with the cinema and approximately 300 carparks. The Council has notified the owner, Diversified NZ Property Trust, that earthquake damage to the carpark and cinema building has made it dangerous, and that steps must be taken to remove that danger. Diversified is currently considering how to address this, and the building will remain closed.

In addition, an area around the affected carpark, including a part of the shopping centre, will remain cordoned off to the public and to businesses as a safety precaution.

Chief Executive of the Centre management company, Peter Alexander, said that the company’s response is and always has been about ensuring the safety of the community.

“We have taken the time to ensure that the conclusions our expert engineers have reached have been thoroughly peer reviewed and re-evaluated and we are confident of the decision to re-open part of the Centre,” Mr Alexander said.

“It is too early to say what steps will be taken in relation to the carpark and cinema building, but we will keep customers and retailers updated as to progress and we expect to be able to report on this in the very near future.

“While this is taking place we look forward to welcoming shoppers back to Queensgate tomorrow.

Ends

About Queensgate Shopping Centre

Queensgate Shopping Centre is owned by Diversified NZ Property Trust (Diversified Trust) and is located at the corner of Queens Drive and Bunny Street in Lower Hutt. The portfolio of Diversified Trust is managed by Stride Investment Management Limited (SIML).

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