Earthquake policy to be signed off but not enforced

The Rangitikei District Council will not enforce its Earthquake-prone Buildings Policy which lapses when Government legislation comes in next year.

The Rangitikei District Council will sign off its Earthquake-prone Buildings Policy later this month but won't enforce it.

The council put the policy out for consultation earlier this year as required and changed it to reflect that the Building (Earthquake-prone) Amendment Act will override it when it comes into effect in July next year.

The draft policy "recognises that requiring building owners to undertake work on buildings now may duplicate or aggravate work required to be undertaken by the [Act]".

The council received 14 submissions on the policy with the majority in support.

But many expressed concern about the cost having to upgrade buildings in general and the uncertainty over the central government legislation.

"It would be uneconomic to invest more capital into a depressed economy," Taihape building owner Geoff Wilson said in his written submission.

"If the requirements are too stringent I will close the shop and move out of Taihape."

The council will hear oral submissions and vote on the policy at its September 29 meeting.