** TC3 Green – Blue Foundations Update **

The Department of Building & Housing has just released its guidelines for repairing and rebuilding foundations in Christchurch’s Technical Category 3 zones.

These are intended for professional geotechnical and structural engineers who have the job of designing appropriate foundation systems for individual properties. The guidelines aim to provide well-balanced engineering solutions that will reduce the risk of injury to people and damage to homes in future earthquakes.

For new or replacement foundations it specifies three types of foundation design. These are: (1) deep piles (2) site ground improvements, and (3) surface structures with shallow foundations.

There has been much anticipation over these guidelines, with many questions arising out of public and private discussions.

To address these questions and concerns, I have arranged for a sector representative familiar with the geotechnical process to present the guidelines to my staff so they are fully briefed going into this next phase. This will be held next Tuesday 8th May and I would be happy to pass on any questions you may have that you feel have perhaps not been fully answered in the literature and information currently available.

If you have a question relating to the process and would like me to present this to the sector representative next Tuesday, feel free to email me. I will then respond with the answers.

** The media release explaining the new guidelines is availablehere

** The document outlining the new Department of Building and Housing TC3 guidelines is availablehere

Nicky Wagner National MP and Member of Parliament for Christchurch Central DDI +64 4 817 6633  |  Fax +64 4 473 0469 | 103 Salisbury Street | Christchurch 8013

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Authorised by Nicky Wagner MP 103 Salisbury Street,  Christchurch.