Nelson City Council

Council revises decision on earthquake prone buildings

Media release: 4 September 2012

Nelson City Council has revoked a decision made in June 2012 to close all Council-owned buildings categorised as Earthquake Prone (categorised D and E), following further up to date information received as part of detailed assessments undertaken following that meeting.

Going forward, Council will make a decision on the future of any Council-owned building that is deemed Earthquake Prone (following a detailed assessment) on a case-by-case basis.

Infrastructure Portfolio Holder Councillor Eric Davy says this will allow time to consider all the issues presented by Council officers relating to each individual building, such as lease arrangements, the Section 124 notice and its conditions, cost of strengthening and feedback from tenants.

The Territorial Authority (Council’s Building Unit) has reissued a new Section 124 notice for the Mediterranean Food Warehouse following receipt of the detailed assessment in respect of that building. That notice allows the building to continue to be occupied until 31 January 2022 by which time either earthquake strengthening work or demolition must be completed.

Council has decided not to carry out strengthening work to the building in the interim, which would cost up to $500,000. The building has been given a final rating of 25% of the New Building Standard.

NOTE - A building is deemed to be an ‘earthquake prone building’ if its resistance to earthquake is less than 33% of the New Building Standard.

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