6 July 2012

Council Completes Earthquake Assessments

Waikato District Council has completed earthquake risk assessments on its oldest buildings.

In line with the Government’s 2004 Building Act, the council carried out structural investigations into four of its buildings which were being investigated for upgrade work, to access how they would perform should a moderate seismic event occur.

Chief Executive Officer, Gavin Ion, said seismic and structural engineering reports had been completed on the council owned, Huntly War Memorial Hall, Huntly Civic Centre, Raglan Office & Library and Ngaruawahia Library.

The report findings show:

The Huntly Civic Centre building meets the appropriate national building standards and council’s own earthquake policy.

However, the structural engineering reports received on the Huntly War Memorial Hall and Raglan Office & Library buildings recommended some reinforcing work be carried out at the rear of both buildings.

Mr Ion said the council had already approved and budgeted repair work to be carried out on the Huntly War Memorial Hall later this year.

Consulting Engineer, John Dale, has confirmed that he has no safety concerns about the Raglan Office & Library building.

“Raglan residents will continue to be able to access all council and library services from our Bow Street building. We will carry out further work to better understand the options for the rear area.” Mr Ion said.

The Ngaruawahia Library was closed in April after the structural engineering report showed some of the building’s walls had insufficient reinforcing in the event of an earthquake.

ENDS

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