CCC media advisory - 5 September 7pm

Christchurch City Council and the Historic Places Trust have been
working closely with the Building Evaluation team to inspect buildings
within the central city - a large number of which are heritage and
character buildings.

These assessments are ongoing and further assessments will be needed to
accurately determine the safety of the building and the extent of
damage. While the focus has been on the central city, assessments will
also be conducted across the rest of the city and Banks Peninsula.

In general, where some level of strengthening has already been
undertaken by property owners, buildings have fared well.

However, many buildings have minor to moderate damage which will need to
be attended to in the coming weeks to ensure normal business and public
access can resume.

Well known Christchurch landmarks that have fared well include the
Provincial Chambers, the Christchurch Cathedral, the Arts Centre,
Christ's College and the Public Trust building and other buildings on
Oxford Terrace.

One building that has suffered extensive damage is the Repertory Theatre
in Kilmore St - just months ahead of a major restoration project.

While a very small number of buildings have extensive damage, further
assessment will determine whether they can be restored.

"We encourage building owners to seek appropriate advice from structural
engineers and architects and take steps in the interim to reduce damage
and cost by keeping them weather-tight," says Urban Design and Heritage
Team Leader Ceciel DelaRue.

"The support of the Historic Places Trust, conservation architects and
structural engineers in our assessment of heritage buildings has been
invaluable today and will allow us to gain a clearer picture during the
coming days," she says.