Earthquake strengthening to drive industry

The New Zealand construction sector is set to grow by up to 25% in the next couple of years with earthquake strengthening expected to be a key driver, according to Australian business forecasting and research organisation BIS Scrapnel.

BIS’ report was released following public consultation on Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson’s proposal to change the system for dealing with earthquake-prone buildings.

The Ministry’s consultation document proposes a consistent national approach, requiring all buildings to be assessed within five years. If deemed to be earthquake-prone, they would then be required to be strengthened or demolished within ten years.

“This whole process is about striking an acceptable balance between the risks posed by earthquake-prone buildings and the costs of strengthening or demolishing them,” said Mr Williamson.

The Government received a strong public response to the proposal, with more than 300 submissions on its plan and approximately 1,000 people attending public meetings around the country.

In response, Mr Williamson said: “The proposals are just a starting point and some changes are likely after submissions are analysed. The Cabinet will consider what policy changes to make and an announcement will be made later this year.”

Builders’ benefit

Dozens of building owners and tenants in the capital have had earthquake-prone signs posted and, for some Wellington building companies, earthquake strengthening already comprises a major part of their workload.

“We completed one seismic upgrade project last year and we’ve just started working on another,” said PCB Ltd director Peter Camp. “It’s time consuming and labour intensive but there’s lots of it. Carpenters have the skillset to do it, and it’s creating a reasonably significant chunk of work in Wellington.

“I run an 18-person team and about 50% of our order book is earthquake strengthening,” he said

Besides keeping his order book full, Mr Camp said it’s indisputable that New Zealand, and particularly Wellington, needs to upgrade its building stock.

“As part of that process, I think we’ll be kept gainfully employed for some time,” he said.

Mr Camp started his business in 1988 and said earthquake strengthening has been imminent in Wellington for the past decade.

“We’ve done a few upgrades on smaller buildings over the last ten years, but it’s definitely the Christchurch earthquake that’s driven building owners’ need to review the integrity of their building.”