REVEALED: Buildings identified by the WCC as having a similar risk to Loafers Lodge

PHOTO: Mayor of Wellington Tory Whanau at a press conference near the scene of the fatal hostel fire. MONIQUE FORD / THE POST

The Wellington City Council has unveiled a list of 25 buildings that share a similar risk profile to Loafers Lodge, following the tragic fire that claimed the lives of five individuals on May 16. Prompted by Mayor Tory Whanau’s order, the council’s Building Consents and Compliance team compiled the list, focusing on multi-level, higher-density buildings with commercial accommodation options and more than two storeys.

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Initially, the council refrained from releasing the list to ensure that building owners and tenants were notified beforehand. However, Council Chief Planning Officer Liam Hodgetts announced that sufficient time had been given to inform tenants and residents, enabling the release of the list.

Out of the 25 identified buildings, 21 currently possess a valid building warrant of fitness, while one had a historical lack of warrant. Three buildings without current warrants were issued “notices to fix” by the council.

Hodgetts emphasized that the presence of these buildings on the list does not indicate an identified safety risk for tenants and residents. Any insinuation to the contrary would be misleading. He urged people to handle this information respectfully and responsibly. Additionally, the council plans to conduct on-site audits of 24 of the listed buildings and arrange a proactive meeting with the owners of the building lacking a historical BWoF to ensure awareness of obligations related to maintaining essential safety features, such as clear exits.

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