Summary Statement Of Manukau City Council¡¦s Draft Policies On Earthquake Prone And Dangerous And Insanitary Buildings Pursuant To Section 131 Of The Building Act 2004

The Building Act 2004 requires all territorial authorities to adopt a policy on dangerous, earthquake prone and insanitary buildings. The policy is to be prepared in accordance with the Special Consultative Procedures of the Local Government Act 2002, and must be implemented by 31 May 2006. It should be noted that single family dwellings of less than two storeys, buildings of less than two storeys which contain less than three household units, farm buildings and carparks are exempt from this policy.

The intent of the legislation relating to earthquake prone buildings is to reduce the level of earthquake prone buildings over time, with the emphasis on treating the most vulnerable buildings. The draft policy has been prepared on the basis that the risk of damage to buildings in Manukau City is considered to be low, based on a moderate earthquake, and the economic and social impacts of the policy are therefore considered within this context.

It is therefore proposed that earthquake prone buildings with special post disaster functions, and those buildings which are intended to accommodate people in crowds, or are of high value to the community, including some heritage buildings, will be required to be strengthened to at least 67% of the relevant building code.

All other earthquake prone buildings will be required to be strengthened to a standard which is 34% of the relevant Building Code.

The policy sets out the timeframes for the identification and remedial works on the following basis:

„h Buildings with post disaster functions are to be identified by December 2008 and strengthened by December 2020.
„h Buildings accommodating people in crowds (including some heritage buildings), or being of high value to the community are to be identified by December 2009 and strengthened by December 2025.
„h Heritage buildings and those Marae without post disaster functions are to be identified by December 2010 and strengthened by 2030.
„h All other earthquake prone buildings are to be identified by December 2011 and strengthened by 2035.

With respect to the policy on Dangerous and Insanitary Buildings, it should be noted that it is based on Council¡¦s current procedures. If a building is found to be dangerous, a written notice will be attached to the building which requires remedial works to be undertaken within a specified timeframe, which is to be not less than 10 days. Copies of the notice are given to the building owner and other affected parties such as occupiers and any other person with an interest in the land.

Once the specified date for remedial work has passed, an inspection shall be undertaken to check compliance with the notice. Where the danger is the result of work undertaken without a building consent, the building owner will be required to provide information to Council as to how the work occurred, who carried it out, and under whose instructions. Enforcement action will be pursued if the requirements of the notice are not met within the specified timeframe.

In each of the above policies, it is proposed to record the information on Council¡¦s Property Information Register, so that the information will be made available through LIMs and PIMs reports.

Copies of the draft policy and submission forms are available on Council¡¦s website www.manukau.govt.nz, or at Council¡¦s Customer Service Centre and all libraries during normal business hours from 27 February 2006. Submissions will be received up to close of business on 31 March 2006, and may be lodged electronically or by post.

ENDS

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