Mall quakeprone but no risk, manager says

DUNEDIN’S Meridian mall is earthquakeprone, but there is no risk to staff or customers, its manager says.

A recent assessment by a structural engineer found the mall had an expected seismic performance of less than 34% of the new building standard.

The mall will reopen today as New Zealand moves into Alert Level 2.

Oyster Property Group chief executive Mark Schiele said it was starting design and concept work to strengthen the building.

But he noted the building had a current building warrant of fitness, and stressed ‘‘the safety of staff and customers at Meridian Mall is of primary importance’’.

The building standard rating did not indicate any structural issues apart from the building’s performance in the event of an earthquake, he said.

Exactly what percentage of the standard the mall was rated at had not been determined yet.

While Dunedin was categorised under the Building Act 2004 as being in a low seismic risk zone, the decision had been made to take a proactive approach and begin design and concept work.

‘‘There is a considerable period available before any works would be required to be completed.’’

The mall was 23 years old and its assessment was not uncommon for buildings of its age, Mr Schiele said.

All of the mall’s 50 tenants had been contacted to advise them of the assessment.

Dunedin City Council building services manager Neil McLeod said while a building might be earthquakeprone, that did not mean it was dangerous.

Because Dunedin was in a low seismic risk zone, the Building Act provided a 15year period for the council to identify potentially earthquakeprone buildings.