Offer to buy red zoned buildings extended

The Government has extended its offer to buy buildings in Christchurch’s residential red zone to not-for-profit organisations and homes under construction when the February 2011 earthquake hit.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said yesterday that the extension would help 17 people whose homes were being built when the quake struck to ‘‘get on with their lives following the hardship caused’’.

The properties had all had building works insurance but were unable to get land insurance at the time of the quake, so did not fit the initial criteria for the Crown offer.

Most of the houses had since been completed, or were nearly completed, meaning their owners were in the same boat as their redzoned neighbours, he said.

Seven non-residential properties owned by not-for-profit organisations in the residential red zone were also covered by the extension.

The organisations had insured their buildings, but being nonresidential meant they could not insure their land.

The affected organisations included the New Brighton Rd Returned and Services Association, St Paul’s Catholic Church and St Paul’s School, the Christchurch Amateur Radio Club, the Brooklands Community Hall, the Avonside Methodist Church, the Casa dei Bambini Educational Trust and the Avonside Lawn Tennis Club.

Mr Brownlee said the groups had been insured ‘‘in the most comprehensive way they could be’’.

Extending the offer meant they would be able to relocate and ‘‘play important roles in the recovery of the community’’, he said.

All owners of properties now eligible for the red-zone offer had until next April 30 to settle their sale to the Crown.

Betty Chapman, of the WainoniAvonside Community Services Trust, said her service, which was in the Avonside Methodist Church, had been ‘‘absolutely vital’’ since the quakes.

The building had to be demolished because it was in the residential red zone, but she wanted to ensure the community service was able to keep running.

‘‘I’d love to stay here, but if not, where can we go? There has to be another building for the elderly that are left in the east because they need us now more than ever.’’

The trust had held information forums on quake recovery over the past 20 weeks, and the church had been ‘‘packed’’ every session, she said.