7 May 2014

Time to review earthquake rebuild cost-sharing agreement

Today’s independent audit of Christchurch City Council’s finances confirms the Green Party’s calls for the Government to renegotiate the earthquake rebuild cost-sharing agreement with the Council, the Green Party said today.

The independent report by KordaMentha shows that the financial position of the City Council is weaker than previously thought and highlights rising costs in the total cost of the rebuild.

“It’s clear that the Christchurch City Council is not in the financial position to pay all of its share for the big ticket items being pursued by the Government, or to borrow more,” said Green Party Christchurch spokesperson Eugenie Sage.

“The Government needs to renegotiate the cost sharing arrangement with the City Council on the rebuild, and allow the City Council to push back on some of the big ticket items, such as the $253 million covered stadium.

“If money needs to be saved, then the super-sized ‘anchor projects’ should be the first to be cut.

“Christchurch doesn’t need a super-sized stadium, and we certainly don’t need it before other, more important projects. Postponing the stadium would free up $253 million, which would be much better spent helping the residents of Christchurch tackle the real problems they’re facing.

“The priorities for Christchurch City Council and Government spending should be in rebuilding basic infrastructure, a voluntary buy-out option for residents on earthquake-affected land that is now prone to flooding, community facilities, and investing more in bus ways and buses to reduce congestion and get the city moving again.

“Selling the city’s strategic assets isn’t the answer either. Selling off our future has no place in creating a strong Christchurch City.”

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