Facilities Management (FM) have a primary duty of care for the Safety of everybody accessing any of the University owned and operated facilities. On top of this requirement FM are responsible for the upkeep of all University buildings, roads, and underground services.

Annual routine inspection of the University tree stock has identified the need for maintenance to be performed across areas of the University to reduce the level of risk for all the items outlined above.

The first area to have these works deployed will be in the Arts’ District with work starting on 1 July 2025.

Recognising that this work is a priority in retaining campus safety and retaining the integrity of infrastructure across campus, a number of factors have been considered including:

 Safety Concerns: Risk to students, staff, and visitors due to unstable trees.

• Root Plate Instability: Trees show signs of failure, especially in high winds, due to restricted root growth.
• Building Damage: Roots are affecting building foundations, causing structural issues.
• Surface Damage: Roots have damaged walkways and driveways, creating hazards.
• Roof and Gutter Issues: Overhanging branches are causing physical damage and water ingress.
• Underground Infrastructure: Roots are disrupting sewer and stormwater systems.
• Persistent Risk: Despite maintenance, some trees remain hazardous due to location and condition.

 Environmental Commitment

If during these works tree removal is required Facilities Management have adopted a two for one replacement policy to compensate for the loss of a tree. The current location strategy is to:

• Plant as near the original site as possible to maintain canopy and aesthetics.
• Consider alternative sites to include locations within the UC waterways’ riparian zones to support biodiversity and erosion control

Affected Buildings:

• Arts Precinct.

What do you need to do?

• Do not enter any fenced off area
• Be aware of machinery noise from use of the chainsaw and chipper.
• Follow all site signage.

 

Please direct any enquiries to fmassist@canterbury.ac.nz 

Thank you for your consideration as we undertake these required safety works.

Digital Services, through the Audio-Visual Experience team, will be undertaking maintenance and the installation of a new AV system in the Rātā (Engineering Core) Atrium between June 25 and July 13, 2025.

Contractors will be working from mobile elevated work platform to access the high structural beams for the attachment of the screens. Due to the nature of this work a large portion of the Rāta Atrium, including Nuts & Bolts café, will be off limits and closed to foot traffic for the duration of the works. 

The lift will remain operational however access to several entry/exit points, including the staircase, will be restricted as indicated on the inset site plan:

1. North Staircase access to level 2
2. South Staircase access to level 2
3. North Staircase access to level 1
4. North Staircase access to level 1

Please plan your activities with closures in mind and use alternative routes where possible. Do not enter the cordoned off work area (as shown on site plan) and ensure that you adhere to all contractor signage and instruction.

Where the stairs are out of action for the works, and you need to change floors or enter or exit the building, use an alternative exit or the lift (if available) and follow usual evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period.

Direct any enquiries to fmassist@canterbury.ac.nz

Facilities Management

The Facilities Management Senior Building Surveyor will be completing Building Floor Plan Verification Inspections on the following listed buildings spaces between Tuesday 24 June and Friday 27 June.

Affected Buildings

• GS92 – Mech Eng Workshop – level 1
• AS12 – Angus Tait – Level 2
• EN03 – Civil & Natural Resources Engineering – Level 2
• EN06 – Chemical and Process Engineering – Level 2
• GS23 – Facilities Management Office – Level2
• EN35 – John Britten – Level 1
• SC01 – Len Lye – Level 2

The purpose of the building floor plan verification is to complete a visual inspection of all rooms in a building to record any differences to the floor plans that the University currently have on file. To do this the Building Surveyor will be accessing all spaces within an area, so please allow access – he will be very quiet!

Please direct any enquiries to FMassist@canterbury.ac.nz

Thank you for your consideration as we undertake these inspections.

Facilities Management