Photo: ODT filesTwenty-four Central Otago District Council-owned earthquake-prone buildings appear set to be included in a risk framework to help the council consider further seismic assessment and strengthening work. Under national legislation the council has 7.5 years to strengthen high-risk priority buildings and 12.5 years to strengthen medium-risk priority buildings. Priority buildings include those used in emergencies and as hospitals and education buildings. The council has 15 years to strengthen other high-risk buildings, and 25 years to strengthen other medium-risk buildings. However, the council decided to strengthen the Roxburgh Service Centre and Ranfurly Service Centre sooner, to 67% of the NBS, as they would likely be needed as bases in an emergency, a report by council property officer Tara Bates to be discussed at today's council meeting said.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 07, 2018 16:33 UTC