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The Government has agreed to provide up to $260 million to the University of Canterbury to support its rebuild programme following the destructive Canterbury earthquakes.

“The Government's contribution will fund a new science centre and expanded and upgraded engineering facilities. These will provide modern teaching and research facilities and cater for more students," Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Steven Joyce 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.

Environment Minister and Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Amy Adams has today congratulated Environment Canterbury commissioners for adopting a programme that will help ensure the recovery of Canterbury’s natural environment.

Ms Adams has recently been given responsibility in relation to the Natural Environment Recovery Programme by Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.

The Government has approved a capital injection of $18.9 million to the Christchurch Polytechnic and Institute of Technology (CPIT) to enable it to further expand its trades training capacity as part of its campus rebuild following the Canterbury earthquakes.

“The Government’s support means that CPIT will be able to expand its Sullivan Avenue facilities to meet further increases in trades training volumes,” Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says.

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 has released an initial action plan from Doug Martin, the Crown Manager for Christchurch City Council’s building consenting functions.

“The Crown Manager’s terms of reference tasked him with providing an action plan within one month. The plan we have now received provides a comprehensive set of actions which will address issues ranging from systems and processes, to staff culture,” says Local Government Minister Chris Tremain.

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.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says a review of the Civil Aviation Act 1990 is now underway.

“While the Act is fundamentally sound, it is now over 20 years old and, during this period there have been a number of significant changes in the aviation industry,” Mr Brownlee says.

“New Zealand’s aviation industry earned about $9.7 billion in revenue in 2009, almost as much as the dairy industry.

“By 2015 it is expected to be earning between $12.6 and $15 billion a year.

Government Ministers have today signed the Canterbury Rebuild Safety Charter to help keep workers on the rebuild safe.

The Safety Charter, developed by the Canterbury Rebuild Senior Leaders’ Group, has been signed and endorsed by 50 construction, insurance, central and local government leaders.

“Rebuilding Canterbury on time, on budget and safely is a priority for the Government. The Safety Charter is a unique document, bringing industry and government together to make this happen,” says Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the Government will seek to have an audit of recent building consents issued by Christchurch City Council to ensure they’re up to the required standards.

It follows concerns raised by International Accreditation New Zealand, which will revoke the council’s building consent accreditation next Monday.

IANZ says it has identified issues with technical processing that means building consents might not meet the requirements of the Building Code.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee, Local Government Minister Chris Tremain, and Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson, have welcomed the decision by Mayor Bob Parker to seek the appointment of a Crown Manager to address consenting issues.

“I am pleased that Christchurch City Council has recognised the gravity of the situation and that a motion will now be put to the council to invite the Government to appoint Crown Manager,” Mr Brownlee says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says International Accreditation New Zealand’s (IANZ’s) decision to withdraw accreditation for the Christchurch City Council to be a Building Consent Authority is unprecedented.

“Consenting is vitally important to maintaining the pace and confidence of the recovery,” Mr Brownlee says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman have paid tribute to members of the New Zealand Defence Force for their dedicated service to Christchurch on the eve of their longest ever domestic deployment.

“Tomorrow afternoon around 120 members of the Army, Navy and Air Force will be thanked in person by Prime Minister John Key for their duty to Christchurch,” Mr Brownlee says.