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Drilling deep into the Alpine Fault

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Kiwithrottlejockey
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« on: May 21, 2015, 08:04:50 pm »


from The Press....

Franz Josef earthquake plan gets go ahead

By SARAH-JANE O'CONNOR | 3:51PM - Monday, 18 May 2015

Mapping has shown the Alpine Fault runs directly under some Franz Josef businesses, including the Mobil petrol station, the Helicopter Line offices and part of the supermarket. — Photo: Sarah-Jane O'Connor.
Mapping has shown the Alpine Fault runs directly under some Franz Josef businesses, including
the Mobil petrol station, the Helicopter Line offices and part of the supermarket.
 — Photo: Sarah-Jane O'Connor.


A PLAN to manage earthquake risk in a busy West Coast tourist town has been given the go ahead by commissioners.

Franz Josef is the only town to straddle the Alpine Fault. The Westland District Council has proposed a fault avoidance zone, 100 metres either side of the fault, running through the middle of the town.

Building consents within the zone would have to meet more rigorous standards and changes made to existing buildings would be limited.

Independent commissioners Gary Rae and John Lumsden accepted the change to the district plan, following a hearing in March.

Business owners told the pair they felt they were effectively being red-zoned and feared they would not be compensated if they had to relocate.

The Franz Josef zone includes 30 properties, including the police station, petrol station, supermarket and a motel.

On Monday, the council said commissioners had accepted the plan change with some amendments.

Buildings that had a “low consequence” of failure, such as small storage sheds, fences and in-ground swimming pools, would be exempt.

Prospecting, vegetation clearance and mining activities would not have further restrictions.


The Waiho River, near Franz Josef, in flood in May. Flood-prone businesses were relocated from its banks in 2003 and compensated. — Photo: NZTA.
The Waiho River, near Franz Josef, in
flood in May. Flood-prone businesses
were relocated from its banks in
2003 and compensated.
 — Photo: NZTA.


The plan change was publicly notified in August 2012 but staffing issues at the council meant progress was delayed.

Westland District Mayor Mike Havill said the Franz Josef community had been waiting for a decision for “some time, so that it can move forward with some certainty”.

Submitters have until June 30th to appeal the decision through the Environment Court.

Geologists estimate the Alpine Fault ruptures on average every 300 years, producing a magnitude 7-8 earthquake when it does. The last time it shook was 298 years ago.

The Helicopter Line general manager Grant Bisset told the commissioners in March that if the science was correct, then a bigger solution was required to manage long-term risk.

Several business owners said compensation should be on offer to help them move out of the zone.

In 2003, local authorities and central government contributed $2 million to relocate flood-prone businesses on the south bank of the Waiho River, on the outskirts of Franz Josef.


Related stories:

 • ‘Red-sticker’ fears for West Coast town

 • Franz Josef locals in limbo over fault plan

 • When, not if: Alpine fault could cause 8 metres of movement


http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/west-coast/68639125/franz-josef-earthquake-plan-gets-go-ahead
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