Council building’s structural integrity confirmed

The Horowhenua District Council main office building’s structural integrity has been confirmed safe and sound.

Council’s Chief Executive David Clapperton commissioned an independent review to “put an end to the unnecessary distraction” caused from ongoing claims by Councillor Michael Feyen and Councillor Ross Campbell that the building has dropped four inches at one end and construction joint cracks in the basement floor meant the building was structurally unsafe.

The review was undertaken by Manos Bairaktaris, a structural engineer and director at Wellington-based ISPS Consulting Engineers Ltd. In his report he said the building is considered “safe for normal occupancy”.

“The capacity of the building to transfer gravity loads to supporting subsoil has been shown to be sufficient in terms of both design and actual performance. Differential settlement appears to be well-within the Building Act requirements and no related damage has been observed,” Mr Bairaktaris said.

David Clapperton said that previously his confidence about the building’s structural integrity came from assurance from experienced engineers and building specialists; also by an Opus Detailed Seismic Assessment completed in July 2014.

“However, not only would Councillors Feyen and Campbell not accept this, they deliberately set about creating alarm and distress among Council staff and used the media to continue their campaign of making false statements about the building.”

Mr Clapperton said both Councillors continued their “divisive and inaccurate scaremongering allegations” and “appalling distortions of fact”.

“Furthermore, responding to this ongoing crusade, including their complaint to the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, I estimate it has cost Council about $135,000. This is Horowhenua ratepayers’ money that could have been better spent on other community needs,” he said.

ENDS

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