Blue Baths, Government Gardens, Rotroua. 23 November, 2022. Photo: Rotorua Daily Post / Mead Norton
Proposed changes to New Zealand's earthquake-prone building system may trigger the possibility of reopening Rotorua's famous Blue Baths, according to Mayor Tania Tapsell.
Last month, the government proposed changes to New Zealand's earthquake-prone building rules which would result in 55 percent of buildings being removed from the current national earthquake prone building register.
Current regulations, introduced after the Canterbury earthquakes, require buildings below 34 percent of the new building standard (NBS) be strengthened or demolished.
As Rotorua is in a medium-risk seismic zone, a timeframe of 10 years for initial assessment and 25 years for strengthening existed. These deadlines were extended by four years in November 2024 for all non-lapsed notices.
Rotorua has 80 buildings listed on the register, including the Rotorua Museum and Blue Baths.
The museum closed in November 2016, following damage caused by the Kaikōura earthquake. Subsequent seismic testing rated the building at 19 percent NBS.
The Blue Baths were closed in January 2021 with a seismic rating of 15 percent NBS.
The new proposal would see the NBS system scrapped. Instead, buildings will be adjudged to be earthquake-prone based on material make-up and proximity to public places and neighbouring properties. Concrete buildings three storeys or taller will be required to be checked using a renewed methodology.
Tapsell said the changes would have had little impact on the cost or method of the museum's $73.55m restoration, with the historic site set to reopen in 2027.
However, she said the proposal "potentially opened up the doors" of possibility regarding the Blue Baths.
Tapsell has requested a meeting with Building and Construction Minister, Chris Penk, to discuss the issue.
"I really want to make sure that if possible it should be prioritised," she said, highlighting a desire for clarity on the "requirements we'll need in government policy" to ensure historic buildings like the Blue Baths are able "to open in a safe but also affordable manner."
Tapsell said more will be known in "about six months", after the proposal is ratified.
Rotorua Museum building.er Photo: Andrew Warner
A Rotorua Lakes Council spokesperson said they are "closely following" the announcement and are "encouraged by the minister's positive direction" on earthquake-prone buildings.
However, with the proposal still under consultation the council say they are "unable" to confirm which of their buildings might be affected or how.
"Once the new rules are in place, we'll carefully review our situation and make informed decisions based on the updated guidelines."
But the council is hopeful that if the changes do proceed "they could offer greater clarity and help reduce costs and delays for property owners" across Rotorua.
The city centre Pak'nSave is also currently listed on the register of earthquake-prone buildings.
A spokesperson for Pak'nSave owner Foodstuffs said they are "keeping an eye" on regulation changes but there's "no sign" they will impact the Amohau and Fenton St site.
They also confirmed seismic strengthening at the store has now been completed to "well above" required standards and work on the petrol station is imminent.
"These upgrades are part of ensuring the store continues to serve the Rotorua community safely and reliably into the future," they said.
Pak'nSave. Photo:
The proposed changes are included in the Building (Earthquake-Prone Building System Reform) Amendment Bill, which will go through a Select Committee process and is expected to be passed into law early next year.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
