Friday 18 October 2013

Church: insurance too expensive

MATHEW GROCOTT AND FAIRFAX NZ

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A Levin church closed for strengthening work is among properties being reviewed by the Catholic archdiocese of Wellington.

The diocese is planning to scrap natural-disaster cover for most of its churches because of escalating insurance premiums.

The Levin St Joseph's Parish Church in Weraroa Rd is the northernmost property included in a list of 103 diocese-owned buildings that could be financially unprotected if hit by an earthquake or tsunami.

Archdiocese administration director Dave Mullin said quake premiums had more than doubled since the Canterbury quakes, despite insurers offering less cover.

That meant some tough financial decisions needed to be made.

"We are not here to have big flash buildings and pay insurance premiums . . . we are here to help those in need."

The church's insurance cover was being reviewed and major buildings, such as Sacred Heart Cathedral and St Mary of the Angels church in Wellington, would retain some quake cover, he said.

In the Wellington archdiocese, the Catholic church owns 50 quake-prone parish buildings and six schools, which are expected to cost at least $60 million to bring up to standard. The Levin Parish Church was one of those requiring work and the diocese was looking at options for the building, Mr Mullin said.

"We're looking at an improvement project at the moment."

The brick steeple at the church was removed in June last year as a safety precaution.





 © Fairfax NZ News


 

 

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