Earthquake-prone building changes positive step

The changes will see the system move to a more proportionate and risk-based system – targeting high-risks building types and focusing on buildings most vulnerable to earthquakes.

“We know the current system is not working and that is not reducing risk,” says Engineering New Zealand Chief Executive Dr Richard Templer.

“Currently, many buildings are classified as needing full retrofits. The cost of this approach is uneconomic in many locations and would have resulted in demolition of the crucial buildings. Ultimately, this caused inaction by building owners, and we know so many buildings needing work are not having it done.”

Engineering New Zealand believes this new approach is more pragmatic and targeted - and therefore likely to address some of our countries more significant risks in this space.

“What’s crucially important is that our highest risk buildings are fixed and that this happens in a timely way. Shifting the system to target these buildings and the specific changes needed makes this more likely,” says Templer.

“We also need to ensure that we have the engineers to do this work. The review, for example, used the expertise of some of New Zealand’s best seismic engineers. We know that the turndown in work the engineering profession has been facing this year has resulted in many looking for work abroad – contributing to a long-term skills shortage. Government will need to work hard to ensure we have the engineers to do the work required.”

Engineering New Zealand is encouraging the Government to move quickly on these changes to the earthquake-prone building system and is hoping for cross-party support on the changes.

The membership organisation also notes that the announcement highlights that more work will be done to support apartment owners and is looking forward to working with government on how they do this.