Changes to timeframes and priorities should give Wanganui building owners some breathing space for earthquake strengthening their properties.
This follows submissions made to the Government select committee that has been hearing submissions on the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill.
While the original draft legislation adopted a "one-size-fits-all" approach, the amendment divides the country into three seismic zones of high, medium and low risk.
Wanganui has been included in the medium-risk zone, which means buildings must be assessed within a 10-year period, with the owners then given 25 years to comply with the building regulations.
But the submission from the Wanganui District Council takes it a step further, asking for more of a "risk-based" approach.