15 May 2011

Risky building list issued in Auckland

10:30 am on 15 May 2011

Auckland Council says earthquake-strengthening may be needed for more than 400 buildings. But none of them have been assessed.

The council has issued a list of buildings constructed of unreinforced brick before 1940 in the former Auckland City Council area.

It says assessments of priority buildings, such as hospitals and those in the downtown area, will take the rest of this year.

No timeframe has been set for bringing any buildings up to the current strengthening standard, nor the process for achieving it.

Because the region is a low risk for an earthquake, Civil Defence says with the process will not be rushed.

CD manager Clive Manley says the council will unveil a draft policy on earthquake-prone and damaged buildings, inviting debate on what should be done.

Heritage campaigner Allan Matson says some big issues are raised by the list.