Govt launches $3M fund, compels building owners to fix quake-risk masonry within a year

Govt launches $3M fund, compels building owners to fix quake-risk masonry within a year
Sophie Boot
By Sophie Boot Jan. 25 (BusinessDesk) - The government has launched a $3 million fund to subsidise strengthening on earthquake-prone buildings in Wellington, Lower Hutt and Blenheim, with work required to be completed within a year. Unreinforced masonry facades and parapets pose a major risk to the public in areas such as the capital, particularly with the eightfold increase in risk of an aftershock in Wellington, Hutt City, Marlborough and Hurunui district following the Kaikoura earthquake in November, Building and Construction Minister...