Council’s previous position on the use and occupation of its buildings at 36 Weld Street (Council Building) and 41 Weld Street (Pakiwaitara Building) has changed. Current assessments and analysis of commissioned reports indicate that both buildings, in their present condition, are unsuitable for the current occupation by Council staff or the public.
Both buildings will remain closed indefinitely while Council, in consultation with Westland communities, as to the future of the buildings.
Council initiated a review of all its earthquake prone buildings following changes to legislation around earthquake prone buildings and the changing health and safety landscape. The decision to close the buildings indefinitely follow a closer look at the information underpinning existing seismic assessments of both buildings as part of that wider review.
Chief Executive Barbara Phillips says the decisions have been made with the safety of staff and the public as the primary consideration.
“I am responsible for the safety of every staff member within this organisation, as well as everyone who visits our facilities. We have a responsibility to understand the risks associated with our buildings and then take all appropriate actions based on the information available to us.”
Council temporarily closed 36 Weld Street on 29 September to seek further information to inform next steps regarding occupancy and use of the building.
Council worked with engineers to better understand the findings of that assessment and their implications for the building's future occupancy. Following further consideration of that information, staff will not be returning to 36 Weld Street.
As part of the wider review, Council then requested the engineering information underpinning decisions about the Pakiwaitara Building, which was assessed at 25% NBS and received by Council in 2020.
Council asked for further engineering advice about the Pakiwaitara Building to better understand the implications and the risks associated with continued occupancy.
Following consideration of that advice, the Chief Executive has decided the most appropriate course of action is to vacate the Pakiwaitara Building effective from Tuesday 13 October.
Ms Phillips said, “Engineering advice helps us understand the risks associated with our buildings in a seismic event. But when it comes to occupancy, the decision sits with the Chief Executive as the PCBU (Person Conducting Business or Undertaking) under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Our buildings are important to us, but the people who work in them and the people who walk through those doors are my foremost priority.”
“Taking a closer look at these buildings has meant asking difficult questions and being prepared to act when new information changes our understanding of the risks. Once we began that process, we needed to see it through wherever the evidence led us. While these decisions are challenging, our focus must remain on the safety of our staff and the public.”
We are aware that this is a major disruption to the tenants in the Pakiwaitara Building and the decision to vacate was made on short notice. However, our priority had to be the safety and well-being of everyone involved. These decisions necessitate immediate actions.
While the buildings will be vacated, it is our priority that Council services will continue with minimal disruption. Most Council staff will continue working remotely while alternative accommodation arrangements are made.
Council reception and tourist information services will be closed for the next two days while an alternate location is sought, online services will be available throughout this time.
The AA service will be suspended for a month while we work our way towards finding a suitable location for the service. All national online services will be available. The closest AA service is available at Greymouth (19 Reid Street).
The Westland District Library pop-up will be temporarily closed for in-person services. Full library services will be available once it reopens from its former location in early November. All digital library services will remain available during this period.
The Museum and at the Hokitika Swimming Pool will continue as normal from their existing locations.
Council is currently finalising temporary service locations and will communicate these to the public as soon as they are confirmed.
Access to the buildings will be available to staff but it will be highly restricted and controlled. Staff requiring access will be considered on a case-by-case basis. We want to ensure a smooth transition for all staff and tenants but in a manner that is safe and responsible.
A report will be presented to Council at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday 14 October, where elected members will consider the information available and determine the next steps.