Restoration of Chch Cathedral set to start
CHRISTCHURCH: Restoration work on the earthquakecrippled Christchurch Cathedral will begin within weeks — more than seven years after it was first damaged in the deadly Christchurch quakes.
Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods said consent for work to begin was granted by the Christchurch City Council yesterday.
The Government and the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch have been in discussions since September over a funding and jointventure deal for a $104 million restoration of the 136yearold Gothicstyle cathedral.
It has been more than seven years since the landmark building was badly damaged in the 6.3magnitude February 2011 earthquake.
Dr Woods said agreement was reached in principle on the jointventure terms after complex negotiations spanning months.
Justin Murray, of Christchurch, has also been appointed as independent chairman of Christchurch Cathedral Reinstatement Ltd (CCRL) — the official name of the jointventure company.
‘‘Justin will be a strong leader to steer the delivery of the project and deliver results. With agreement from all parties involved, we can now begin the important work of reinstating this local icon,’’ Dr Woods said.
‘‘I am anticipating, thanks to the work the Church Property Trustees has already done, that the site clearance and decontamination work will start by the end of July, subject to regulatory approvals. This comes ahead of preconstruction site work that will be undertaken by the joint venture.’’
She expected ‘‘people on the ground beginning what everyone wants to see’’ — the start of the historic site being cleaning up a over the next few weeks.
Dr Woods said it was a seven to 10year project.
The next steps were for the other directors to be appointed and the joint venture company to look at finalising the concept design, scope of works, project budget and timeframes, Dr Woods said yesterday. It was expected work the would take at least three to six months.
‘‘The ultimate goal for all concerned is to return this important historical and cultural icon to the people of Canterbury and New Zealand,’’ Dr Woods said.
‘‘Like many Cantabrians, I look forward to one day seeing the cathedral connected again to the square in a vibrant way, being able to function again for the worship and spiritual purposes of the church, as well as offer an attractive, safe and viable space for civic and other functions.’’
Chairman of the governmentappointed Christchurch Cathedral Reinstatement Trust Peter Guthrey said yesterday it was a ‘‘poignant moment’’.
‘‘The jointventure agreement is an incredibly detailed document. It was vital that we took the time to get it right, and we are confident that we have,’’ he said.
Arguments over whether the building in the heart of Christchurch should be restored to its former glory, partly reinstated, or demolished and replaced with a new, modern building have raged between the church, heritage campaigners and the wider public over the past seven and ahalf years.
The 131yearold cathedral withstood violent earthquakes in 1881, 1888, 1901, 1922 and even the magnitude 7.1 quake on September 4, 2010. — NZME