Below is the full submission of Heritage Taranaki on the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill submitted to Parliament’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee.

This brief submission supports the intent of the Bill to establish a more proportionate and risk-based regulatory system for managing earthquake-prone buildings.

This submission recognises the financial obligations placed on owners of earthquake-prone buildings and recommends establishing a national heritage incentive framework to, amongst other goals, assist owners of earthquake-prone heritage buildings with remediation works to protect built heritage values.

A range of incentives at central and local government level are recomended, including grants; low-interest or suspensory loans; rates relief; bonus development rights; no-fees consents; technical and project advisory support; access to standard strengthening methodology; and tax relief/incentives.