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Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says with 2013 drawing to a close it is timely to acknowledge the amount of work that has gone into preparation for the full-scale construction of central Christchurch’s anchor projects.

“Over 2013 work on many of the 17 Anchor Projects has ramped up, starting with the necessary planning, proposals and contracting,” Mr Brownlee says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced an extension for consideration of the Crown’s offer for eligible property owners in the Port Hills residential red zone.

Eligible red zone property owners will now have until 31 August 2014, instead of 31 March 2014, to decide whether to accept the Crown’s offer to purchase properties deemed to have an unacceptable level of life risk from rock roll and cliff collapse.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the creation of the Land Use Recovery Plan (LURP) will go a long way towards easing housing pressures, with new options for development across greater Christchurch.

“The LURP provides certainty across the community, informing land owners, infrastructure providers and others by outlining new areas that can be developed for new housing and businesses,” Mr Brownlee says.

Results of the Port Hills Zoning Review announced today will give property owners certainty and provide options for people to move on from areas posing a serious risk to life, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

The outcome of the review of all zoned properties in the Port Hills means a change of zoning for 270 properties – with 237 going from green zone to red zone, and 33 going from red to green.

A world-leading project to transform Christchurch into a smart city of the future and create opportunities for New Zealand’s tech sector is to receive support from Callaghan Innovation, the Government’s new High Tech HQ for business.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says he is very pleased by the Court of Appeal’s finding, released today, that the residential red zoning of the most damaged parts of greater Christchurch was lawful, and that the process was well conducted.

Measures to clarify the tax treatment of certain employee allowances and reimbursements included in a tax bill introduced to Parliament today will be welcome news for employers and employees involved in Canterbury earthquake recovery work, say Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Revenue Minister Todd McClay.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says he’s deeply disappointed Christchurch City Council has not endorsed the Land Use Recovery Plan (LURP) it was considering at its meeting today.

“This very important plan has been developed over the past two years by Environment Canterbury, the Selwyn and Waimakariri District Councils and the Christchurch City Council, in conjunction with Ngāi Tahu, the NZ Transport Agency and the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA).

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister and Education Minister Hekia Parata today announced that 80 per cent of classrooms across greater Christchurch will be modernised within ten years changing the way children and young people learn.

The Government is investing over $1 billion in a 10 year programme of restoring and renewing the schools in greater Christchurch following the earthquakes.

The Government today released the final Business Case and outlined the schedule for rebuilding, repairing and renewing 115 schools across greater Christchurch.

That includes:

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister and Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission Gerry Brownlee says Labour’s policy of establishing a state-owned insurer is no different than its other half-formed ideas – it’s emotive, shows a hopeless grasp of economic realities, and raises questions Labour won’t be able to credibly answer.

“Labour might hate private insurance companies, but the reality is they’re paying for $20 billion of the Canterbury rebuild - twice New Zealand’s annual corporate tax take,” Mr Brownlee says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says reducing the speed limits of Christchurch’s inner-most streets will provide for a more people-focused environment in the redeveloped city.

The new 30km per hour limit is a significant factor in the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan transport chapter “An Accessible City,” released today, which explains the transport system which will support the new compact CBD core.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the outcome of this week’s Quake Outcasts hearing in the Court of Appeal will determine how CERA should address issues identified in the Port Hills zoning review, but that may take some time.

Given the delay, the final expiry date for all Crown offers in the Port Hills will be extended to 31 March 2014, instead of the current 31 January date.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says a raft of significant steps made across the city’s anchor projects in recent weeks will add to the momentum of other developments in Christchurch.

“Progress on the Justice and Emergency Services Precinct has been good, with the Christchurch Central Development Unit now having agreements in place for 91 per cent of the total land required for the complex,” Mr Brownlee says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has approved amendments to four regulatory plans to ensure some earthquake land repair processes no longer require resource consent.

The changes have been made using the special legislative powers of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011 and apply immediately in order to help earthquake-related land repairs to progress more quickly.

The Crown is using its post-earthquake powers of compulsory acquisition for the first time to ensure the crucial rebuild of central Christchurch is not held up, says Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.

“Progress to date by the Crown in purchasing central city properties has been very good, with the vast majority of land already secured for priority anchor projects without any compulsory acquisition being required,” Mr Brownlee says.

Following initial engagement with five shortlisted consortia for the master planning and development of Christchurch’s Convention Centre Precinct, an operator will now be sought for the facility.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today celebrated the start of two significant new commercial developments in Christchurch’s CBD, and unveiled imagery of the next stage of the Avon River Precinct, The Terraces.

He will then cap off the day by attending the official re-opening of the Heritage Hotel in Cathedral Square.

First stop was partaking in the official sod turning of prominent property owner Antony Gough’s $140 million retail and entertainment development, The Terrace.

The Government has today agreed to a new Order in Council, under the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011, to ensure people continue to be protected from earthquake related hazards in Christchurch’s Port Hills.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson says the latest geotechnical information confirms a level of risk from hazards, such as rock roll, still exists in the Port Hills.

About 20 government departments and agencies will be relocating into the Christchurch CBD in 2016 to support the city’s recovery.

“Today’s announcement by Prime Minister John Key is very welcome news,” says Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.

“The Government is committed to the revitalisation of Christchurch and delivering the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan. The CBD has been all but closed since the earthquakes and government agencies had to relocate across the city in temporary office space.”

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says today’s official opening of the first part of the Te Papa Ōtākaro / Avon River Precinct is a significant step forward for Christchurch’s rebuild.

Watermark is the pilot segment of the river development situated between the Antigua Boatsheds and Montreal Street.  Featuring a boardwalk, new paths, intensive native plantings and innovative LED lighting, the Watermark project gives the public a taste of how the Avon River Precinct will look.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the Government has now received all the geotechnical information it requires in order to announce the results of the long-awaited Port Hills land-zoning review.

“I had intended to make that announcement on behalf of the Government tomorrow.   

“However, in light of the ‘Quake Outcasts’ High Court decision released on Monday 26 August,  the Government now feels that it is unable to make that announcement. 

The Government today announced the appointment of Douglas Martin as the Crown Manager for Christchurch City Council’s building consenting functions.

“Mr Martin is well qualified to undertake the role of Crown Manager.  He is one of New Zealand’s most experienced and respected advisors on improving the performance of public sector agencies in New Zealand,” says Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee. 

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the Christchurch City Council can and, must, under section 212 of the Building Act 2004, continue issuing building consents, despite losing its accreditation.

International Accreditation New Zealand revoked the council’s building consent accreditation today following its inability to bring its processes up to the required standard.

The Government has today been informed by the Christchurch City Council that its professional indemnity and public liability insurer Riskpool has withdrawn cover effective 1 July for claims which may arise under the Building Act 2004.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says Riskpool’s move is no surprise.

“Today’s move means that if the council is negligent in performing its functions under the Building Act leading to defects in building work, any liability owed by the council will need to be met from its own funds.