Middlemarch masonry collapse quake risks noted

Three streets in Middlemarch have been identified as possible problem sites in an earthquake.

Swansea St, between Nottage St and Mold St, is considered a strategic route of concern because it is likely to be used by emergency services and at least one building there could block access if it collapsed.

The street, part of State Highway87, has also been flagged because it is well used by vehicles and pedestrians and there is potential for part of an unreinforced masonry building to fall there.

Snow Ave and part of Aberafon St are the other two streets identified as potentially vulnerable in a moderate earthquake.

The transport routes were put forward in a document about earthquake-prone buildings to be considered by Dunedin city councillors next week.

Almost all of the area covered by the council is considered low seismic risk, but Middlemarch is in a medium-risk zone.

Councils have to identify priority buildings for possible remedial action in medium-risk zones by July next year.

The Dunedin council is likely to seek public feedback initially about transport routes.

Some buildings on those routes might then be identified as priority buildings.

Aberafon St, from Bank Ave to Swansea St, was labelled a strategic transport route of possible concern.

Snow Ave was considered a key pedestrian and vehicle route that could present problems.

If the council identifies a building as potentially earthquake-prone, an assessment process will start and the owner might need to upgrade it.

Shorter timeframes apply to medium-risk zones than low-risk areas.

The council estimated about 3000 buildings in the city could require an assessment in the next decade.

grant.miller@odt.co.nz


 

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