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Royal Commission seeks public contributions
Canterbury Earthquakes Royal
Commission
MEDIA RELEASE 1 July 2011
Royal Commission seeks public contributions
A notice outlining the issues being considered by the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission and seeking expressions of interest from people wanting to make submissions will be published in newspapers throughout New Zealand from tomorrow, Saturday 2 July.
Justice Mark Cooper, Chair of the Royal Commission, says seeking input from interested people and organisations is a priority for the commissioners. “We know there is genuine interest from a wide range of people so we are now asking those people who want to be involved to let us know.”
Expressions of Interest need to be submitted by 22 July by using the online form on the Commission’s website www.canterbury.royalcommission.govt.nz. Forms can also be downloaded from the website or requested through the freephone number 0800 337 468.
Justice Cooper says the issues that the Royal Commission is considering are outlined on the Commission’s website. “I strongly encourage anyone interested in providing a submission or information to look out for the public notices and access the more detailed information on our website.
“We have already been in contact with the families of those who died in the February earthquake. It is not necessary for these people to fill out an expression of interest form but they are welcome to do so if they want to,” says Justice Cooper.
“In the meantime, the Royal Commission is continuing its investigations and inquiries,” he says.
ENDS
Further Information:
Under the
terms of reference the Royal Commission will consider the
following issues:
1. Seismicity, which includes New
Zealand’s geological setting, the seismological setting
for NZ, conditions likely to result in liquefaction, and the
nature and severity of the Canterbury
earthquakes
2. Inquiry into buildings in the Christchurch
Central Business District (CBD). The Royal Commission is
required to establish a reasonably representative sample of
buildings in the CBD. This representative sample will
include the Canterbury Television (or CTV) building, the
Pyne Gould Corporation (or PGC) building, the Forsyth Barr
building and The Hotel Grand Chancellor building, and a
range of other buildings including all those that failed
causing death.
The Royal Commission will also
investigate why some buildings failed severely while others
did not, the steps taken to assess the condition of
buildings after the earthquakes, and the policies adopted in
respect of earthquake-prone buildings
3. Legal and best
practice requirements for the design, construction and
maintenance of buildings in CBDs in New
Zealand.
4. Change of New Zealand Design Standards/Codes
of Practice over the past 75 years
5. Development of
technical expertise in the deign and construction of seismic
resistant buildings
6. Future measures for new and
existing buildings, including the appropriate level of
compliance of existing buildings with new building standards
and considering any necessary changes to current design
practice.
The Royal Commission operates independently of government but receives administrative assistance from the Department of Internal Affairs. Information about the Commission of Inquiry, including the full terms of reference, can be found at www.canterbury.royalcommission.govt.nz
ENDS
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