Lower Hutt strengthens earthquake building policy

Hutt City Council has beefed up the rules around strengthening Lower Hutt’s earthquake prone buildings.

Last night Council agreed to adopt the Earthquake Prone Building Policy requiring buildings in the city to be strengthened to 67% of new building standard (NBS) by 2018 at the latest.

Exceptions to this rule are buildings already strengthened under policy set by Council in 2006 that allowed heritage and historic buildings to be strengthened to a level just above 33% NBS, and all other earthquake prone buildings to 50% NBS; or where a building consent has been issued and strengthening work has begun.

Mayor Ray Wallace says the new policy strikes the right balance between improving public safety without punishing building owners who have already carried out strengthening work.

“The tragic loss of life in the Christchurch earthquake brought home the importance of strengthening buildings.

“However, we have also listened to owners who have proactively strengthened their buildings and were facing having to do it all again at additional cost.

“This policy will require those owners who have taken no action to strengthen their buildings to meet the 67% standard recommended by the New Zealand Society of Earthquake Engineers.”