Clock ticking for owners

• Published date: 04 November 2021
• Publication title: Mountain Scene

The council initially identified 45 buildings in the district as being potentially earthquake-prone, but building services manager Chris English says 21 have since been assessed as earthquake-prone through a method laid down by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

The owners of two buildings in the Whakatipu have completed remediation projects — Arrowtown’s The Fork and Tap restaurant and bar, and the former ambulance building in Queenstown’s Isle Street.

Five buildings, all in Queenstown or Arrowtown, have been classified as a priority, which means their owners have seven-and-a-half years to complete strengthening work.

Work’s started on only two so far: the Old Bank part of Arrowtown’s Lakes District Museum, and 3 Rees St, where the tenants include a Chinese restaurant.

The museum’s project also includes the old stables, despite that part of the complex having a 2034 deadline.

The other three priority buildings, which have deadlines in 2027 and 2028, include the Winnies and Ballarat bar/restaurants in...