Where's our priority routes if an earthquake was to happen?
The legislation for identifying and managing earthquake-prone buildings has changed nationally, which means there are
now set timeframes to identify and upgrade buildings which are earthquake-prone.
One of the first thing we have to do is establish priority routes (busy public roads, footpaths or thoroughfares) where
parts of an unreinforced masonry building could fall from buildings damaged in an earthquake posing a high risk to life
and public safety - and that's why we want to hear from you.
There are two criteria for identifying which public roads, footpaths and thoroughfares should be prioritised in an areas
with a medium seismic risk;
1. the risk of parts of an unreinforced masonry building (e.g. parapets, external walls, or a verandah) falling in
an earthquake; and
2. the number of vehicles and pedestrians using the route.
In our District we've identified these areas as 400-770 Pollen St (from Richmond St and Cochrane St) Thames, as this is the main area in our district where the buildings sit within the
medium seismic risk area for earthquakes.
Whangamata also has a medium seismic risk however no areas have been identified meeting the priority criteria.
So we want to hear from you as to whether you think we have it covered, or if you think there are other areas that need
prioritising. You can share your feedback www.tcdc.govt.nz/earthquakeprone.
Once we’ve finalised the priority public roads, footpaths and thoroughfares, we'll be looking at buildings in the region
to determine whether they are potentially earthquake prone. If they are, building owners will be notified and will have
12 months to provide an engineering assessment to us.
Consultation is from Friday 10 August - Monday 10 September.
Proposed dangerous and insanitary buildings policy
We're also wanting to hear from you about dangerous and insanitary buildings.
We're replacing our existing Earthquake Prone, Dangerous and Insanitary Buildings Policy with a Dangerous and Insanitary
Buildings Policy.
That's because we no longer need an Earthquake Prone Building Policy as this is now covered by legislation by central
government.
We're only proposing minor wording changes to improve how the policy reads and to ensure clarity. You can take a look at
the proposed policy here and give us your feedback www.tcdc.govt.nz/dangerousbuildings.
Consultation is from also Friday 10 August - Monday 10 September.
ends