Earthquake Updates

Friday 16 March 2012

Westfield New Zealand has announced today that Detailed Engineering Evaluation (DEE) reports into the structural integrity of Westfield Riccarton following the 2010/2011 earthquakes and numerous significant aftershocks conclude, that no areas of the Centre are earthquake prone.

Westfield New Zealand Director Justin Lynch says that since the September 2010 Christchurch earthquake, Westfield New Zealand has undertaken continual assessments into the Centre’s integrity.

“Westfield New Zealand has taken a vigilant approach in assessing the Centre’s earthquake risk to ensure shoppers, retailers and Westfield staff remain safe to occupy the centre. We will continue to take all practicable steps to ensure Westfield Riccarton not only meets building code requirements, but also exceeds them.

“Westfield New Zealand engaged independent structural engineering firm, Xona, to carry out assessments alongside Westfield’s General Manager of Design and his team.

“To complete its report to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), Westfield New Zealand went a step further by engaging Aurecon New Zealand to conduct a peer review of our Detailed Engineering Evaluation reports.

“The DEE report to CERA concludes that the building structure is in excess of the New Buildings Standards (NBS) and therefore considered not earthquake prone as we meet the required standards for public buildings. Westfield Riccarton is assessed not to be an earthquake prone building.

“Westfield is now waiting for CERA to ratify the engineers’ submission.

“It is business as usual for Westfield Riccarton.”