Earthquake-prone building notices going up - 13/03/2012Wanganui District Council Chief Executive Kevin Ross said the council is this week putting up notices to advise the public that some of its buildings are earthquake-prone.
“A number of our buildings have been assessed as earthquake-prone under the Building Act 2004 and we believe we have a responsibility to let people know if the building they are entering is earthquake-prone,” Mr Ross said.
“The notices will be placed in an easily visible place in the entrances to the buildings. By advising the public of the assessment, they can then make a choice about whether or not they wish to enter that building. It’s important to note that the buildings are structurally sound but have been assessed as earthquake-prone – that is less than 33% of new building standard.
“These are not ‘stickers’, such as those placed on buildings in Christchurch which have been affected by earthquakes, but simply an advisory notice and this process only applies to buildings owned by the Council.
“We are currently discussing potential interim measures for the activities in those buildings with stakeholders, occupiers and staff before reporting back to the Council on April 30. There will be further notifications of any decisions made as a result of that meeting.”
Notices are being put up at the following buildings which have been assessed as earthquake-prone:
- Sarjeant Gallery
- Whanganui Regional Museum (1929 front building)
- Community House, Victoria Avenue/Ridgway Street corner
- Royal Wanganui Opera House (excluding Annex 1 and 2)
- Alexander Library
- Cooks Gardens original 1947 grandstand
- Women’s Centre, St Hill Street
- War Memorial Hall Conference and Convention Centre
More information about earthquake-prone buildings and the earthquake risk to Wanganui is available on this page. | 
