Hutt City Council has been advised by Stride Property that draft engineering reports they have received on their buildings at the Queensgate Shopping Centre indicate three buildings are potentially under 34% of the New Building Standard (NBS) and would require work to bring them up to code.

Council’s engineer is now reviewing these reports and additional information so we can make an assessment about what action is required on our part.

Lower Hutt currently has 55 buildings classified as earthquake prone, which means they are less than one-third of the current structural standard. When Council receives information that a building is potentially earthquake prone, Council engineers assess the information and may then issue an earthquake-prone building notice requiring the owner to strengthen the building within 15 years.

Stride have advised they intend to carry out the required work without delay, and design and process works are already underway.

ENDS

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