‘Significant issues’ with justice precinct plan

A Treasury report into major government projects indicates ‘‘significant issues’’ with the Christchurch justice and emergency services precinct development.

The Interim Major Projects Report April 2017, released this week, ranks projects depending on Treasury’s confidence the project will be delivered on time and within budget.

Since the last report in November, Treasury has downgraded the justice and emergency services precinct from the second-highest amber/green rank to a middling amber.

This meant the project ‘‘appeared feasible, but significant issues already exist’’.

‘‘These appear resolvable at this stage and, if addressed promptly, should not present a cost/schedule overrun or loss/delay of benefits.’’

Treasury’s investment management and asset performance team manager, Ricky Utting, said the downgrade was because the construction handover date changed from February to mid-year.

The Ministry of Justice, which is overseeing the project, planned to complete the justice building by June 30 and the emergency services building by July 14.

Utting said there was ‘‘schedule pressure’’ to have the precinct ready for occupancy by the new dates.

Extra workers were being put on the sites and contractor Fletcher Construction was providing the ministry with regular updates.

A ministry spokeswoman said the project was on-track for its mid-year delivery dates.

‘‘Client fit-out activities have already commenced and the first agency is expected to move in at the end of the August.’’

The new precinct will contain offices for the ministry, police, Corrections, Fire Service, St John, Civil Defence, and judges’ chambers.

Christchurch Hospital’s acute services building maintained its previous amber rating in the Treasury report.

The convention centre, east frame, metro sports facility and Te Papa Otakaro/Avon River precinct projects remained amber/ green.