Mayor takes hard line on earthquake strengthening

Mayor Ray Wallace says people’s safety should be paramount when considering Council’s Draft Earthquake-Prone Building Policy.

At Tuesday’s Policy Committee meeting members agreed to consult on a revised draft policy which would require all earthquake-prone buildings in Lower Hutt to meet at least 67% of new building standards regardless of heritage status.

The current policy requires earthquake prone buildings in the city to meet 50% of new building standards and heritage or historic earthquake-prone buildings 33.3%.

“I think the Christchurch earthquake has taught us we need to take a hard line on earthquake strengthening and I fully support adopting this higher standard.

“People’s safety must be our top priority and building owners cannot afford to be complacent given the level of devastation we have seen is possible after a large earthquake such as the Christchurch quake.”

The committee also agreed to consult on an option where those buildings essential to the running of Lower Hutt, such as Council’s administration building, hospitals, Police stations and telephone exchanges; would be subject to an even higher standard.

“As a Council we need to do all we can to ensure essential services would be up and running quickly if a large earthquake struck our city.

“When it comes to people’s lives there should be no compromises.”

The Draft Earthquake-Prone Building policy will now go out for public consultation.

The Building Act does not require Councils to include residential buildings in their earthquake-prone building policies.