Another report rejects subsidence damage

Another report rejects subsidence damage

A new, independent report into Taupo’s Care and Independence Hospital concludes that there is no evidence of any damage to the building caused by subsidence, and that the building is in sound condition.

The Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) has completed a series of inspections on buildings in Taupo, seeking to determine whether they have been damaged by subsidence as a result of Contact Energy’s geothermal generation in the area, as suggested by advisers to the Taupo District Council.

The Care and Independence Hospital report follows a report into the main Taupo Hospital late last year, as well as ongoing reports into residential properties in Invergarry Road.

Consistent with the earlier reports, BRANZ has found no evidence of damage caused by subsidence and very little evidence of any damage beyond normal wear and tear.

“We are pleased the reports into each of these hospital buildings rule out any suggestion that they are suffering from subsidence-related damage,” said Contact Energy Chief Executive, David Hunt.

“All of the independent reports into the buildings identified by the Taupo District Council clear them of any subsidence related damage,” he said.

Mr Hunt said Contact Energy has invested a great deal of time and resource in an independent and transparent process to determine if buildings in the Taupo region had been negatively impacted by subsidence.

This has included Contact Energy purchasing two Invergarry Road houses to enable them to be comprehensively monitored on an ongoing basis.

Mr Hunt said he regretted the anxiety that some residents had been caused by the suggestion that Contact’s geothermal activity was damaging buildings.

“The independent research is clear and consistent. None of these buildings have been damaged as a result of Contact Energy’s activities,” he said.

“Contact values the constructive relationship we have with the Taupo community and we are committed to developing it. Contact’s geothermal activities in the region are extremely important, providing New Zealand with five per cent of its total electricity needs through reliable and renewable geothermal generation.

“Contact Energy will continue this building monitoring programme but, based on the best independent data available, there is no cause for concern.”

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