newcastle.yourguide.com.au

An earthquake as devastating and = destructive=20 as the Newcastle 1989 event could happen = again=20 and the city and surrounding region = needs to be=20 prepared for it.

While an earthquake this damaging is = rare - a=20 one in 1500 year event- there is always = a small=20 chance that this could occur again in = any year,=20 according to scientist Dr John Schneider = who was=20 in Newcastle last week for the release = of a=20 ground breaking earthquake assessment = for the=20 region.

The findings came out of a four year = study of=20 the earthquake risk in Newcastle and = Lake=20 Macquarie carried our by Geoscience = Australia,=20 the national agency for geoscientific = research=20 and information.

"There have been some improvements = (in=20 Newcastle's building standards) since = 1989 but=20 there are some older buildings that are = still=20 vulnerable and don't meet current = building=20 codes," Dr Schneider said.

"There is no way of knowing when the = next big=20 earthquake will happen but it is not = something=20 we should be alarmed about. We need to = do our=20 best to be prepared."

Thirteen people died and buildings = crumbled=20 in the December 28, 1989 earthquake = which=20 measured 5.6 on the Richter scale.

This moderate-level earthquake - = which happen=20 frequently in Australia - demonstrated = the=20 dramatic impact they have on = communities.

Good building practice is now seen as = the=20 most important factor in reducing = threats to=20 lives and property from future = earthquakes,=20 according to the landmark study, = released by=20 Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal = Minister=20 for Industry, Tourism and Resources = Warren=20 Entsch.

The ability of buildings to withstand = an=20 earthquake and maintain the safety of = their=20 occupants depends on the design and = quality of=20 construction.

The study found that a number of = strategies=20 could be adopted to minimise the impact = of=20 earthquakes.

These include improving the = earthquake=20 loading standard; ensuring all new = buildings=20 comply with building standards; having = adequate=20 insurance and protecting emergency = facilities=20 which provide essential services after = an=20 earthquake.

Mr Entsch said the study will assist=20 decision-makers involved in local and = state=20 governments, the insurance industry, = engineers,=20 architects and the building and finance=20 industries to manage potential damage = and loss=20 of life from earthquakes.

Areas most at risk in Newcastle = include the=20 CBD and its surrounds including = Broadmeadow,=20 Carrington, Hamilton Islington, = Maryville,=20 Stockton, The Junction, Warabrook and = Wickham.

In Lake Macquarie, the at-risk areas = include=20 Belmont South, Blacksmiths, Caves Beach, = Marks=20 Point, Pelican, Swansea and Teralba.

The full report is set out in a = booklet and=20 CD called Earthquake Risk in Newcastle = and Lake=20 Macquarie. The set costs about $40 and = is=20 available from the Geoscience Australia = sales=20 centre website www.ga.gov.au or phone = 6249 9111.=20