Safety works on glass atrium

Works are due to commence tomorrow to improve the safety of the glass atrium in Tauranga City Council's Willow Street campus.

The works are expected to take four weeks and will be carried out between 6pm and 2am each night to minimise disruption to Tauranga Library and the Customer Service Centre.


The glass atrium linking Tauranga City
Council's chambers and office space, the Tauranga Library, and the mayor and chief executive's office area. Photo: Chris Callinan.

If noise levels become unacceptable, the hours of operation will be reviewed.

The safety improvements were commissioned after a building investigation found the atrium glazing would be vulnerable in the event of an earthquake.

The glass atrium links three of the Willow Street campus buildings: the Council chambers and office space, the Tauranga Library building, and the Mayor and Chief Executive's office area.

The works will involve installing polycarbonate sheeting to the high-level and vertical glazing, as well as the surrounding canopy.

TCC chief executive Garry Poole says council is taking a cautious approach to keep the community and staff as safe as possible.

'In the event of an earthquake the glass may shatter, so we need to put a solution in place to prevent broken glass from falling.

'We are bringing this to the public's attention so everyone can make an informed decision about whether to access Tauranga Library and the Customer Service Centre while we complete the safety improvement works.”

Garry says that the Library and Customer Service Centre will be open for business as usual for anyone who wishes to visit.

'We also have libraries in Papamoa, Greerton and Mount Maunganui as well as the Mobile Library, and library members can renew their items online.

'You can pay bills such as water rates, dog registration and parking fines through our website at www.tauranga.govt.nz, at any participating New Zealand Post Shop, by credit card through our call centre on 07 577 7000, or by cheque.”

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3 comments

Glass mould?

Posted on 27-06-2015 11:25 | By YOGI BEAR

Is that it, yet another case of spending on an empty building.


Face it

Posted on 27-06-2015 15:09 | By R1Squid

TCC spend money that they don't have without guilt. Kaipara DC did that and look where it got them. Dis-established.


Bollicks Brigade LOL

Posted on 29-06-2015 09:28 | By kellbell

More unnecessary work at huge cost no doubt. If its a construction issue sue the contractors or TCC itself which would have issued building consents and CCCs for the job.Also how far are we going to take this earthquake protection bull**** we can't cover all the angles.


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