Public urged to have their say on earthquake-prone priority buildings

The Horowhenua District Council is calling on members of the community to provide feedback on the Priority Buildings – Earthquake Prone Buildings consultation. People who wish to make a submission can do so until March 26.

The consultation aims to help the council identify parts of Horowhenua which meet the criteria to be designated as priority areas under the new Building (Earthquake Prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2016.

The council said priority areas are busy roads or footpaths where falling masonry from buildings damaged in an earthquake would pose a high risk to life and public safety.

Under the Act, the council must identify earthquake-prone priority buildings, and buildings owners must have them strengthened or demolished in half the time allowed for non-priority earthquake-prone buildings.

Areas of Levin, Foxton and Shannon were proposed and considered to have sufficient vehicle or pedestrian traffic to warrant prioritisation. These are the Levin CBD, covering Oxford Street from Bath Street to Stanley Street, and part of Queen Street; Main Street, Foxton, from Wharf Street to Ravensworth Place; and 36-62 Plimmer Terrace, and part of Ballance Street, in Shannon.

The council is seeking feedback on whether the community agrees or disagrees with the proposed areas, reasons for any disagreement, and if there are any additional roads or footpaths that should be prioritised, Project Coordination lead Cathryn Pollock said.