3 October 2012
MEDIA RELEASE

Strengthening message for Hawke’s Bay property owners

Concerns about the future of Hawke’s Bay’s famed Art Deco buildings will come under the spotlight in a public meeting focusing on earthquake strengthening, hosted by the Art Deco Trust.

Potential amendments to the Building Act arising from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch earthquakes could affect everyone who owns or occupies a heritage building. How owners can adapt and strengthen their buildings is a crucial issue for the Hawke’s Bay, says Sally Jackson, General Manager of the Art Deco Trust.

“There is a lot of concern amongst property owners in Hawke’s Bay about the earthquake strength of their buildings, what it may cost to strengthen them, and if it is economically viable to do so,” says Ms Jackson.

“There are also major concerns about tenants vacating buildings in the inner city that are now considered unsafe to occupy, and the increasing insurance costs building owners and tenants have to face.”

A public meeting to explore these issues will take place in Napier on Tuesday 16 October at St John’s Cathedral at 5.30pm. Property owners, the public and other interested parties will have the chance to hear from two of New Zealand’s leading experts in the area of structural engineering – Jason Ingham, Associate Professor of Structural Engineering at the University of Auckland and Win Clark, Executive Officer of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering.

“Both speakers are leaders in the field of earthquake strengthening and have been involved with submissions to the Royal Commission of Inquiry on the subject of retrofitting masonry buildings as well as giving advice to property owners, councils and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust in the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquakes,” says Ms Jackson.

The New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT), the New Zealand Institute of Architects and local councils have all joined in support of the public meeting. Ann Neill, the NZHPT Central Region General Manager, says in light of the lessons learned from the Canterbury earthquakes it is crucial for all key stakeholders to come together to develop response strategies as well as work together on the assessment, management and preservation of buildings at risk.

“The challenges and opportunities associated with strengthening, insurance and preservation is one of the biggest issues facing New Zealanders. We hope this forum will show that while many issues are challenging, they are not insurmountable, and there is a future for our treasured heritage buildings that prioritises public safety, as well as issues of affordability,” says Mrs Neill.

Sally Jackson says the meeting is also an important opportunity for local government in Hawke’s Bay to receive clear and reasoned information to help with policy responses to buildings at risk. It is also a starting point to provide accurate information for building owners, tenants and the general public.

“Thousands of people flock to the Hawke’s Bay each year to enjoy our wonderful heritage buildings – particularly the Art Deco architecture. Our unique townscape was born of earthquake, fire, and courage, and is of huge value historically and culturally, as well as economically to the region. We hope this forum will provide confidence that this legacy can survive another major seismic event, and continue to be enjoyed for its social and economic benefits.”

The future of Hawke’s Bay’s historic buildings

Speakers: Jason Ingham, Associate Professor of Structural Engineering, University of Auckland and Win Clark, Executive Officer of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering
Venue: St John’s Cathedral, Napier.
Time: 5.30pm, Tuesday, 16 October 2012.
Entry Charge: Gold coin donation.

Information about speakers:

Associate Professor Jason Ingham has an extensive background in the study of earthquakes, including research at the University of California, San Diego, soon after the 1989 San Francisco earthquake. He was in Christchurch when the February 2011 earthquake struck and has made submissions to the Royal Commission on the general subject of retrofitting masonry buildings.

Win Clark is a structural engineer and Executive Officer of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering. He has been working with the NZHPT to assess heritage buildings in Canterbury since the September 2010 earthquake, and has presented around the country on the important national issue of how earthquake prone buildings can be strengthened.

The Art Deco Trust has been operating for over 27 years in Hawke’s Bay and is committed to the preservation, restoration and celebration of Art Deco buildings.

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