20230423 OIA WDC Managing earthquake-prone council buildings.
From: Spencer Jones

April 24th, 2023

Dear New Waitomo District Council (WDC),

I am writing to request all information to which I am entitled under section 12 of the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) (The Act). This information is sought in the public interest of all New Zealanders.

Please find below my OIA request, which relates to WDC's managing earthquake-prone council buildings s (in their role as building owners) following the introduction of the building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act in 2016 (the 2016 Act) which reinforced perceptions of risk through the legal requirement for certain buildings to have seismic assessments undertaken. The 2016 Act’s requirements led to a focus on percentage of the new building standard (%NBS) ratings.

1. Please provide digital copies of WDC’s Legislative obligations for local authorities that own earthquake-prone buildings.

2. Please provide digital copies of WDC’s regulatory responsibilities for managing all earthquake-prone buildings in their area in general.

3. Please provide digital copies of WDC’s building assessments and remediation for the past three years (2020 to present) to include all independent Initial Seismic Assessments (ISA) Commissioned as the Building Owner and all Detailed Seismic Assessments (DSA).

4. Please provide digital copies of WDC’s earthquake risk assessments on all buildings for which they have ownership.

5. Please provide digital copies of WDC’s legal classification of earthquake-prone buildings (in their role as building owners).

6. Please provide digital copies of WDC’s Seismology reports for the past three years (2020 to present).

7. Please provide digital copies of WDC’s Evaluation of Earthquake Performance as building owner.

I understand that under the act, I am entitled to a response within 20 days. I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing that you have received this request. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,

Spencer Jones