Council still looking to pin hotel collapse on someone

Cathy Casey. Photo / Supplied

Auckland Council says it has not given up trying to hold someone to account for the November collapse of inner-city heritage icon the Palace Hotel.

Last week it decided not to take legal action against companies or individuals in relation to the collapse of the 124-year-old building, despite an official inquiry finding it had been severely damaged by the owners' renovations.

However, Auckland Council in-house counsel Wendy Brandon told its heritage forum yesterday that lack of proof to bring a prosecution was not the end of the matter.

The report of the inquiry, which was conducted by three independent engineering experts, would be referred to the professional bodies of advisers to the building owners, the Chow Group.

References were being prepared by the Auckland Crown solicitor.

Earlier in the public meeting, Councillor Cathy Casey asked: "So, because nobody was injured in this catastrophe they have got off scot-free?

"If we are not prosecuting, is there anything we can do to these guys by the way of utu [revenge]?"

Ms Brandon said the Chow Group was no different from any other building owner.

They were able to shelter behind their professional advisers.

It was a matter of looking at whether the council could hold them indirectly liable for anything done by their advisers, such as their architect, contractor or sub-contractor and then work up the chain.

"But we were not able to establish the links to the extent that there may be any culpability on the part of those advisers, so the best we can do is to refer it to their professional bodies for consideration in that context."

References would be made to the Institute of Professional Engineers New Zealand and the NZ Institute of Architects.