On 16 February 2026, Property Council submitted to the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee on the Buildings (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill.
Why this matters to our members
The current earthquake-prone building system has created significant uncertainty for the property sector, and reform is long overdue. Moving to a risk-based, proportionate approach ensures that efforts are focused where the risk is highest, prioritising the strengthening of the most vulnerable buildings and better protecting lives.
Our view
Property Council strongly supports the intent of the Bill and made recommendations to further refine certain provisions as currently drafted.
At a high level, Property Council recommended:
- The establishment of a technical advice panel lead by MBIE, to assist with complex or ambiguous determinations in determining buildings in scope;
- That the Bill clarify how section 115 is to be applied where a change of use results in significantly higher occupancy or vulnerability;
- That Property Council be included in public consultation on the earthquake-prone building methodology as “persons or organisations that appear to the chief executive to be representative of the interests of persons likely to be substantially affected by the setting of the methodology”; and
- The Government consider introducing a fast-track or simplified assessment pathway for buildings changing ownership during the transitional period.