Council welcomes shift in rebuild
Newly announced changes to the structure of Canterbury’s earthquake recovery have been welcomed by the Property Council.
Last week, Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee revealed he would oversee a new transitional authority set up to guide the rebuild.
When the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority is disbanded in April next year, new entity Regenerate Christchurch will take over the Central Recovery Plan, handing back control to the city council after five years. The Government will being in new legislation to enable the change.
In response, the Property Council’s South Island Branch president Jo McDonald said the changes must involve ‘‘a clear vision and collaboration’’, and they supported the Government’s ‘‘commitment to equip the private sector with the confidence it needs to invest in Christchurch’s rebuild.’’
McDonald said the Government’s response was timely and gave critical recognition to the need for a ‘‘step-change’’ approach to the rebuild. ‘‘Property Council has always said the central city is key to Christchurch’s recovery if we are going to keep the city an attractive place to do business and invest in.
‘‘It is a relief to hear the Government acknowledge the importance of anchor projects, and the need to complete them in a timely and effective manner, with greater commercial discipline.’’
The council agreed with the need for just one urban authority, to avoid the confusion, delays and duplication if both central and local government had development authorities, she said.
‘‘We need a one-stop shop for the development industry.
‘‘The authority needs to have a clear purpose and strategy, be results driven, have transparent processes, includes private sector representatives who bring insight into commercial viability and risks and demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness – with a greater long-term vision and less influenced by party politics,’’ McDonald said.