Earthquake-prone, dangerous and insanitary buildings policy 2010 [PDF 724KB]
The Christchurch City Council, in an extraordinary meeting on 10 September 2010, adopted the revised Earthquake-prone, Dangerous and Insanitary Buildings Policy.
The Council is required by law to have such a policy. It adopted its first in 2006, and reviewed and revised this in early 2010. Consultation on its proposed revised policy was carried out from 30 March 2010 to 7 May 2010, before the September 4 earthquake. The Panel had met, and already made a decision which was due to be recommended to the Council for adoption at the end of September.
While the Council has general powers to deal with dangerous buildings, it becomes very complicated when buildings become dangerous as a result of an earthquake. The Panel hearing the policy had identified a gap in the current policy and in its report to Council proposed a new Section 2.3.6 to clarify how to handle known Earthquake-prone Buildings in the event that they were damaged by an earthquake and needed to be repaired.
The net result of the unanimously adopted policy is this:
It still only applies to those buildings defined as earthquake–prone. (It does not apply to the average residential home. It does not affect the likes of chimney repairs).
Section 2.3.6 only applies to those buildings which have suffered damage in the earthquake which will require building consent to repair. If an “Earthquake-prone Building” is undamaged and does not need repair, the policy requires it to be seismically upgraded in accordance with the timeframes established in the policy.
The policy does not apply to a new building replacing one demolished by the earthquake – all new buildings must comply fully with the current building code requirements.
The policy applies equally to listed heritage buildings and buildings which are not listed.
The new target for structural strengthening is 67% of code. That is a target. Assessments will need to be worked through on a case by case basis. It may not be practicable for some repairs to meet that target. The Council will work closely with building owners to achieve sensible, safe outcomes.
That target is not unique in New Zealand. Gisborne District Council, for example, requires buildings damaged in an earthquake to be strengthened to at least 67% of current building code requirements; this policy was developed after their 2007 earthquake.
Questions & answers regarding the Earthquake-prone dangerous & insanitary buildings policy 2010
