Debate over plans for quake-prone buildings | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

Financial help is being suggested to earthquake-strengthen many of Christchurch's historic buildings as the city council considers a new draft policy.

 These are among the submissions that hve been received for the city council's draft amended Earthquake-prone, Dangerous, and Insanitary Buildings Policy.

The recommended policy change would require 490 heritage buildings in Christchurch deemed to be at risk of collapse in a moderate earthquake to be earthquake-strengthened within set timeframes.

 According to a 2009 Holmes Consulting Group report, strengthening the buildings to the minimum code requirements would cost $169 million.

The city council received 26 submissions about the draft policy.

Submitters' opinions were divided on the issue, with seven explicitly opposing the city council-favoured strengthening option, 11 outlining issues they perceived with the policy and eight supporting the option.

 The main concern for those who opposed the policy was the financial burden the strengthening work would impose.

 Jan and Geoff Washbourne, who owned a commercial building that may be affected if the policy was amended, were among these submitters.

 They said in their submission that undertaking earthquake strengthening would make their investment worthless, as the costs to do so would be greater than the value of the building.

Claxton Investment Director Dean Marshall said in his submission that aside from the strengthening cost issue, one of the biggest challenges was keeping tenants happy while trying to undertake strengthening.

 "We have to give them quiet enjoyment. To have to basically empty them all out and then do it is just not practical."

 By contrast, the Christchurch Heritage Trust and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust recommended that the city council promote strengthening to 67% of full code levels instead of the policy-stated 33% to preserve heritage fabric.

Submission hearings will begin on June 14.