Government planning deadline extension for unreinforced masonry repairs

Monday, 19 February 2018

Some of the buildings with unreinforced masonry are in high foot traffic areas such as Cuba St.

Owners of buildings described as posing an immediate risk to the public look set to be given an extra six months to complete repairs.

But Wellington City Council has warned that even assuming the delay is granted it would only be for building owners who are making genuine effort and those taking no action could be prosecuted.

Building and Construction Minister Dr Nick Smith and Wellington Mayor Justin Lester at the announcement that buildings with unreinforced masonry in central New Zealand would have just 12 months to strengthen. As the March 31 deadline looms, some building owners taking 'reasonable steps' could be granted a delay.

Two months after the Kaikoura earthquake the Government used emergency legislation to bring forward the deadline for strengthening buildings with unreinforced masonry in the middle of New Zealand, to March 31, 2018.

Falling masonry caused 39 deaths in the Christchurch earthquake in 2011.

**READ MORE:

* Wellington's public safety threat

* 12 month deadline for repairs

* Deadline looms, but no repairs

* Funding tweak for repairs**

As part of the move, safety notices were issued for around 300 buildings, which were described as posing a safety risk to the public.

Many of the buildings are in central Wellington, including on high pedestrian areas such as Cuba St and Courtenay Pl, although the Hutt City, Hurinui and Kaikoura councils are also dealing with buildings facing the same issues.

With the deadline looming for the repairs to be completed, Building and Construction Minister Jenny Salesa revealed on Monday evening that in March Cabinet is expected to consider a proposal to extend the deadline for completing the works.

The minister has put out a discussion document which proposes giving another six months for building owners who have taken 'reasonable steps' but will not be able to meet the deadline. The document does not define what constitutes reasonable steps.

Wellington City Council spokeswoman Jacqui Hastie said the owners of most of the buildings initially identified as being at risk were on track to complete the work on deadline.

For some buildings where the work was larger and more complex than initially believed a delay was necessary, but the proposal would not apply to all buildings.

'I can tell you now, there is not a blanket extension on the table, and nor should there be,' Hastie said.

Of the 113 buildings in Wellington initially highlighted as dangerous, 35 had either had the necessary work done or been removed because engineering assessments showed work was not necessary.

Around 85 per cent of the buildings identified in early 2017 were either off the list or were on track to be strengthened by the deadline.

Some 'half a dozen' were providing uncooperative or difficult to contact, Hastie said.

'Unless they make reasonable steps they will not get any grace period.'

Those who had not made genuine steps could face swift action.

'We are looking at what we can do. First and foremost, we want the buildings secure and we will do whatever we can to make that happen. For some that might mean prosecution.'

In instances where the council had not been given engineering assessments on buildings which had been issued dangerous building notices, it would have to 'take steps in order to protect the public from what is an unknown risk' after the deadline.

'That might mean putting containers around them, or hoardings. We don't know yet.'

More money is being offered by the Government to help assist the repairs, with buildings that are three storeys or taller eligible for up to $65,000. Previously the cap was $25,000.

It is the second change to the funding scheme since the 12 month deadline was announced.