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A building owner in Wellington has been given 20 days to complete strengthening works of his earthquake-prone building.
In an article by Stuff, Wellington Council resilient buildings technical manager Hayley Moselen said the Toomath's Buildings at 43-47 Ghuznee Street was added to the register of earthquake-prone buildings in February 2013. The owner was reportedly given until August 2013 to make it safe. Six years on from the initial deadline, the council demands action is taken.
“The building owner has had many years to get this work done and hasn't,” Moselen told the publication. “The council has recently had an independent engineering assessment and, as a result, our view is that the potential risk to the public is unacceptable.”
Moselen said the council is working with the owner to see the property is fixed as soon as possible.
“The building owner has 20 working days to supply the council with more information,” she said.
Meanwhile, Council portfolio leader for infrastructure and sustainability Councillor Iona Pannett told Stuff there are still a number of earthquake strengthening works yet to be completed in the city.
“In some cases, people are having to pay more to strengthen them than the building is worth,” Pannett said. “Another challenge is whether insurers are willing to insure buildings in Wellington.
"We are working proactively because we want to keep our city livable and don't want to force people out of the city centre,” he added.
Stuff reported the property was designed by architect William Crichton and built for the Toomath Estate in 1900. It is currently registered to Scoter Ventures, which is owned by Dayal Govan. The publication said it tried contacting Govan at his home address in Hataitai, but he was not there.
