Changes to unsecured masonry repair initiative

Earthquake damage in Wellington CBD

Earlier this year the government announced that it would require urgent upgrades of parapets and facades on high risk unreinforced masonry buildings within 12 months.

Councils in affected areas - Wellington, Hutt City, Blenheim and Hurunui - identified buildings with unreinforced masonry elements that had to be secured to manage life safety risks.

Building owners with unreinforced masonry parapets and facades that face into busy thoroughfares in were given a year (through to March 2018) to get the securing work done.

But Minister for Building and Construction Jenny Salesa has now announced that a number of changes have been made to the initiative in response to practical concerns raised by building owners.