Dunedin city councillor Russell Lund and Southern Heritage Trust spokeswoman Jo Galer present their submissions on proposed seismic strengthening changes to the transport and infrastructure select committee in Wellington yesterday. PHOTO: SCREENGRABDunedin risks the ‘‘perverse outcome’’ of losing its characteristic heritage buildings unless the government relaxes incoming seismic changes, two advocates say. Southern Heritage Trust spokeswoman Jo Galer and Dunedin city councillor Russell Lund spoke in a select committee hearing yesterday, urging the government to abandon plans to reclassify Dunedin and coastal Otago from low-risk to a ‘‘medium seismic zone’’. ‘‘The practical effect of this reclassification is to expose owners to assessments and higher compliance costs that would not apply if Dunedin remained low seismic risk,’’ Ms Galer said. The changes are part of the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill, broadly intended to make seismic strengthening rules more pragmatic, less onerous and a better fit with earthquake risk.
