A series of seven public meetings on the proposals will kick off tomorrow night in Wellington. Photo / APN
A series of seven public meetings on the proposals will kick off tomorrow night in Wellington. Photo / APN
Public consultation meetings will be held across New Zealand this month as the Government looks to make changes to its system for dealing with earthquake-prone buildings.
The Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission last year made 36 recommendations on quake-prone buildings, including the introduction of tougher building regulations and an at-risk buildingsregister.
Buildings failures accounted for most of the 185 fatalities in Christchurch's massive February 22, 2011 quake.
Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson said public submissions would be crucial in establishing a new policy to protect buildings from ground shaking.
Proposals for a national approach to deal with quake-prone buildings are currently out for consultation, and if adopted would mean all identified buildings would be dealt with within 15 years, compared with the current average of 28 years.
The first of seven public meetings on the proposals will be held tomorrow night in Wellington.
And just three days ahead of the second anniversary of the February 22 disaster there will be a public meeting in Christchurch.
"Getting the policy right involves striking a balance between the risks posed by buildings in earthquakes and the costs of strengthening, or demolishing, them," said Mr Williamson, who will be at several meetings including tomorrow night's at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington.