Survey to Assess Challenges Property Owners Face

Seven thousand commercial building owners in Wellington are being surveyed on the issues they are experiencing to finance earthquake strengthening work and access insurance following the Canterbury earthquakes.

The Council's Built Environment Portfolio Leader, Councillor Iona Pannett, says the survey is being carried out as part of a programme of activities to make Wellington more resilient.

The Council has assessed approximately 3500 buildings in Wellington under its Earthquake-Prone Buildings Policy and has found that around 570 need to be strengthened. 

"The survey is important because we are asking building owners to let us know what the problems and barriers are for them to be able to complete strengthening works and if they are planning work, how quickly they plan to do this," says Councillor Pannett.

"We've also heard that people are facing really substantial increases in insurance premiums and the survey will ask about this issue as well."

The information gathered from the survey will be used by the Council when it reviews its Earthquake- Prone Buildings Policy and will also be given to the Government which will consider the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Canterbury Earthquakes when it reports back later this year and look at building regulations.

Property owners are being asked to complete the survey for each of the properties they own either online or by filling in the postal survey. The survey is being sent to owners of commericial buildings, along with owners of apartment complexes and some multi-unit residential houses. Details about individual properties will remain confidential. People who have questions about the survey should contact research@wcc.govt.nz.