Wellington City Council has given emergency powers to CentrePort to demolish one of its quake-damaged buildings.Shed 35, a heritage building, was severely damaged in Kaikoura’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake last month.

The cordon around the building has slowed Bluebridge’s ability to unload cargo and is considered an impediment to the company's future operations. 

Wellington City Council planning manager Warren Ulusele said it was a tough call to bring in the Resource Management Act emergency powers.

“Heritage buildings within the city are very important and we’re reluctant to have any removed but in this case we felt that it's appropriate because the port is a lifeline utility and it’s essential that it’s able to function.”

Ulusele said he understood CentrePort had chosen to demolish Shed 35.

CentrePort would not confirm that or whether it was still deciding to demolish the building.  

Chief executive Derek Nind said in a statement the damage at Shed 35 made operations difficult for Bluebridge.

“Shed 35 is susceptible to further damage or collapse, and it is impacting on the Bluebridge ferry operation, which is a key strategic freight link and critical lifeline facility in the event of a major earthquake in the region."

During the earthquake Shed 35 also sustained damage to some of its asbestos panels in the roof.

Nind said a large crane was expected to be moved in this week to spray a compound to bind the damaged asbestos panels.

Shed 35 is among several other severely damaged buildings at the port including a cruise ship terminal and a cold storage building.

Two warehouses were already earmarked for demolition after the 2013 Seddon earthquakes but that process will likely be fast tracked now they have sustained further damage.

It has also been confirmed demolition will soon start on the former Rugby New Zealand Union building located at the port. 

Other earthquake damaged buildings on CentrePort's land include Statistics House, Customhouse, Shed 39 and the BNZ building.