Invercargill sends building inspectors to Canterbury

The Invercargill City Council is sending five building inspectors to the Canterbury region to help in the aftermath of this week’s earthquakes.


Director of Environmental and Planning Services Pamela Gare said that the Invercargill City Council building inspectors were responding to an urgent request for 60 suitably qualified building inspectors from around the country to assist their Canterbury colleagues.


“Aftershocks have damaged buildings that were not, or did not appear to be damaged by the initial earthquake. This means that they are looking at rechecking everything that was originally checked to make sure it is safe.


“We understand that our building inspectors will be checking residential buildings and small shops.


“It is estimated that there are up to 100,000 homes affected by the earthquakes. This places huge strain on Canterbury’s people and resources, so we are glad to do what we can to help.”


Mrs Gare said the team from Invercargill would include Council’s Building Regulations Services Manager, Simon Tonkin.


“There will still be building inspectors on duty in Invercargill, but the Department will not be at full capacity while the five inspectors are in Christchurch. We will continue to work through consents as quickly as possible, but ask members of the public to be understanding of any delays,” she said.