Building owners taskforce focus

Wanganui's earthquake-prone building taskforce is focusing on helping building owners gain their initial evaluation procedures [IEP] ahead of the December deadline.

Chairman Richard Thompson said the taskforce was meeting monthly. He said business was quiet while it awaits government decisions from the Royal Commission into the Canterbury Earthquakes, whose report is due at any time.

The taskforce was formed by the Wanganui District Council in February, with the aim of advising council on the issues of earthquake-prone buildings.

It is made up of a wide range of experts including representatives from the council, heritage organisations, iwi, the chamber of commerce, Mainstreet, building owners, property developers, engineers and architects.

Mr Thompson said during the waiting period, the taskforce had been focused on assisting owners of category C building to have their IEPs done. An IEP is the first assessment of a building's earthquake strength.

The council requires category C building owners to have their IEPs booked by December.

Recently, the taskforce did a pamphlet drop of 700 building owners, reminding them of the IEP requirement.

"In terms of raising awareness, it was certainly successful.

"We had a lot of feedback. Some people were annoyed because they thought it was another council imposition, and some were annoyed because they believed their building was not earthquake prone. But some were glad of the information and said they'd arrange to have their IEP done immediately."

The council has a special fund available to assist building owners to get their IEPs, to a maximum of $1500.

Mr Thompson said the taskforce was also working on the economic issues of privately owning an earthquake-prone building and the economic value of the buildings to the community.

The taskforce was also providing advice to the council on its earthquake-prone buildings.

"What's really important is that many of these buildings need to be considered together, not in isolation. We have some excellent heritage precincts in Wanganui."