17 March 2006

Hearing set for proposed Earthquake-Prone Dangerous and Insanitary Buildings Policy

Submissions on the City Council’s proposed Earthquake-prone Dangerous and Insanitary Buildings Policy will be heard in the Council Chambers on Tuam Street, starting 9.15am on Monday, 27 March, 2006.

Fifty submissions were received by Council on the policy, which must be effective by 31 May, 2006, to comply with the Building Act 2004. The new policy will eventually bring buildings up to a higher safety standard of at least 33% of the building code. To date, the minimum safety standard has been just 10% of the building code.

All 50 submitters were sent letters informing them that their submissions would be heard by a Council subcommittee. Submitters can give oral or written submissions at the hearing, in support of their original submission.

The council’s proposed policy sets out:

- How it intends to approach these new duties stipulated by the Building Act,
- Its priorities in implementing those duties, and
- How this policy will apply to heritage buildings.

The Earthquake-prone Dangerous and Insanitary Buildings Policy will cover all buildings, but not most residential homes.

ENDS

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