We have been working on identifying potential earthquake prone buildings following the guidance set by Government’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
WHAT’S BEING PROPOSED?
The process includes a requirement for us to identify any priority pedestrian thoroughfares. The pedestrian thoroughfares are where there are higher numbers of pedestrians such as the town centre.
BACKGROUND
The Building Act 2004 outlines the measures that Councils must take to protect the public if there is a significant earthquake event. This includes identification and ultimate strengthening of commercial buildings identified as earthquake
That does not mean the building is unsafe but that it is approximately one third or less as strong as a new building and will perform differently to a new building in an earthquake.
Ōtorohanga District is classified as a medium risk area which requires the owner of a building identified as earthquake prone to upgrade or demolish the building within 25 years of notification by Council. Where the building is on a road or street identified as a priority pedestrian thoroughfare then the timeframe for upgrading or demolition is halved and is 12.5 years.
This provides for a higher level of protection for the public given the building will be strengthened in a shorter timeframe.
QUICK FACTS
What buildings does this affect?
Only commercial buildings identified as earthquake prone.
What does the road designation as a Priority Pedestrian Thoroughfare mean?
It means there will be a higher level of safety for the public as earthquake prone buildings will be strengthened within a shorter timeframe.
Has Council identified all earthquake prone buildings?
Council has identified potential earthquake prone buildings and is working with building owners to confirm what buildings are finally designated as earthquake prone and what are not.
Will the earthquake prone buildings be identified for the public?
All buildings designated earthquake prone buildings will be identified by a notice that must be displayed in or on the building. The buildings will also be included in a register managed by MBIE that is public information.
OPTIONS
Option A: Council will approve the Priority Pedestrian Thoroughfare and: - Buildings identified as earthquake prone will have to be strengthened in 12.5 years rather than 25 years
- Buildings will be strengthened in a shorter timeframe resulting in a higher level of safety for the public
- Affected owners have a shorter timeframe within which to strengthen their building
This option means that Council supports a greater level of safety for the public if there was an earthquake as the earthquake prone buildings will be made safer for the public in a much shorter timeframe. This also means that building owners are required to finance strengthening works on their building at an earlier date. | Option B: Council would not approve the Priority Pedestrian Thoroughfare and: - Building identified as earthquake prone will have to be strengthened for in 25 years rather than 12.5 years
- The longer timeframe for strengthening will result in a lower level of safety for the public
- Affected building owners have more time within which to strengthen their building
This option means that buildings will remain in their earthquake prone state for twice the length of time as Option 1 meaning a longer period of risk for the public. This also means longer timeframe for owners to finance strengthening works on their buildings. |
TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS ON OPTIONS
Council is required to publicly consult on priority pedestrian routes (where a potential earthquake-prone building fronts a footpath and road with a high pedestrian count) and will be inviting building owners and the public from 30 May to 27 June 2022 to provide feedback on the proposal to establish a priority pedestrian route. Submissions can be made from from 30 May.
After the consultation period is completed, Council will consider all submissions, and hold a hearing for those submitters that wish to speak to their submission. Once completed Council will then decide whether to establish the priority pedestrian thoroughfare or not.
If you have any queries, please contact us on building@otodc.govt.nz.
We have been working on identifying potential earthquake prone buildings following the guidance set by Government’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
WHAT’S BEING PROPOSED?
The process includes a requirement for us to identify any priority pedestrian thoroughfares. The pedestrian thoroughfares are where there are higher numbers of pedestrians such as the town centre.
BACKGROUND
The Building Act 2004 outlines the measures that Councils must take to protect the public if there is a significant earthquake event. This includes identification and ultimate strengthening of commercial buildings identified as earthquake
That does not mean the building is unsafe but that it is approximately one third or less as strong as a new building and will perform differently to a new building in an earthquake.
Ōtorohanga District is classified as a medium risk area which requires the owner of a building identified as earthquake prone to upgrade or demolish the building within 25 years of notification by Council. Where the building is on a road or street identified as a priority pedestrian thoroughfare then the timeframe for upgrading or demolition is halved and is 12.5 years.
This provides for a higher level of protection for the public given the building will be strengthened in a shorter timeframe.
QUICK FACTS
What buildings does this affect?
Only commercial buildings identified as earthquake prone.
What does the road designation as a Priority Pedestrian Thoroughfare mean?
It means there will be a higher level of safety for the public as earthquake prone buildings will be strengthened within a shorter timeframe.
Has Council identified all earthquake prone buildings?
Council has identified potential earthquake prone buildings and is working with building owners to confirm what buildings are finally designated as earthquake prone and what are not.
Will the earthquake prone buildings be identified for the public?
All buildings designated earthquake prone buildings will be identified by a notice that must be displayed in or on the building. The buildings will also be included in a register managed by MBIE that is public information.
OPTIONS
Option A: Council will approve the Priority Pedestrian Thoroughfare and: - Buildings identified as earthquake prone will have to be strengthened in 12.5 years rather than 25 years
- Buildings will be strengthened in a shorter timeframe resulting in a higher level of safety for the public
- Affected owners have a shorter timeframe within which to strengthen their building
This option means that Council supports a greater level of safety for the public if there was an earthquake as the earthquake prone buildings will be made safer for the public in a much shorter timeframe. This also means that building owners are required to finance strengthening works on their building at an earlier date. | Option B: Council would not approve the Priority Pedestrian Thoroughfare and: - Building identified as earthquake prone will have to be strengthened for in 25 years rather than 12.5 years
- The longer timeframe for strengthening will result in a lower level of safety for the public
- Affected building owners have more time within which to strengthen their building
This option means that buildings will remain in their earthquake prone state for twice the length of time as Option 1 meaning a longer period of risk for the public. This also means longer timeframe for owners to finance strengthening works on their buildings. |
TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS ON OPTIONS
Council is required to publicly consult on priority pedestrian routes (where a potential earthquake-prone building fronts a footpath and road with a high pedestrian count) and will be inviting building owners and the public from 30 May to 27 June 2022 to provide feedback on the proposal to establish a priority pedestrian route. Submissions can be made from from 30 May.
After the consultation period is completed, Council will consider all submissions, and hold a hearing for those submitters that wish to speak to their submission. Once completed Council will then decide whether to establish the priority pedestrian thoroughfare or not.
If you have any queries, please contact us on building@otodc.govt.nz.
