Masonry deadline may be delayed

Owners of buildings described as posing an immediate risk to the public look set to be given an extra six months to complete repairs.

But Wellington City Council has warned that, even assuming the delay is granted, it would only be for building owners who are making genuine effort. Those taking no action could be prosecuted.

After the 2016 Kaiko¯ ura earthquake, the Government brought forward the deadline for strengthening buildings with unreinforced masonry to March 31, 2018.

Falling masonry caused 39 deaths in the Christchurch earthquake in 2011.

As part of this move, notices were issued for about 300 buildings that were described as posing a safety risk to the public.

Many are in the central city, including the high pedestrian areas of Cuba St and Courtenay Place.

With the deadline looming for the repairs to be completed, Building and Construction Minister Jenny Salesa revealed last night that next month Cabinet is expected to consider a proposal to extend the deadline.

The minister has put out a discussion document that proposes giving another six months to building owners who have taken ‘‘reasonable steps’’ but will not be able to meet the deadline. The document does not define what constitutes reasonable steps.

Council spokeswoman Jacqui Hastie said the owners of most of the ‘‘risky’’ buildings were on track to complete the work on deadline.

For some buildings where the work was larger and more complex than initially believed, a delay was necessary but the proposal would not apply to all buildings.

‘‘I can tell you now, there is not a blanket extension on the table, and nor should there be.’’

About 85 per cent of the buildings identified in early 2017 were either off the list or were on track to be strengthened by the deadline.

About ‘‘half a dozen’’ were proving unco-operative or difficult to contact, Hastie said.

Those who had not made genuine steps could face swift action.

‘‘We are looking at what we can do. First and foremost, we want the buildings secure and we will do whatever we can to make that happen. For some that might mean prosecution.’’

More money is being offered by the Government to help quicken the repairs, with buildings that are three storeys or more eligible for up to $65,000. Previously, the cap was $25,000.