4 February 2011

Organisations leading Christchurch's recovery from the 4 September earthquake will meet this month as they continue to work together on the rebuild of the city.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker is inviting all Christchurch MPs, Councillors and Community Board members, key Council recovery managers, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Commission, Commissioners and working parties, EQC, major contractors, the NZ Insurance Council and a number of key government organisations to the meeting on Saturday 19 February.

Each organisation will be asked to report back to the meeting on their current recovery status, identifying any remaining areas of concern, and detailing exactly where they are in the rebuild process. The aim is to produce a joint report on progress, plans and timeframes.

Mayor Parker says the Christchurch City Council's recovery program is well underway with significant progress being made.

The major residential rebuild program is taking shape and gathering pace, Council staff are preparing the first phase of significant infrastructure rebuilding, and are close to receiving the engineering specifications for the underground perimeter strengthening being developed by the Earthquake Commission.

"It is clear that for many Christchurch people who are in the most severely damaged areas, there still exists some confusion around timeframes, consent issues and community opportunities to input into the rebuild planning," Mayor Parker says.

"By getting all of the key players in one place at the same time I hope we can simplify both the information dissemination process and reduce the confusion that at times undermines the great work that is happening in the City's recovery process. It is an opportunity for all the organisations involved to better coordinate the information that is being released.

"I want to reassure residents that the recovery program is making rapid and significant progress, that many of the issues that concern our community are well understood, and action to resolve these issues is underway.

"We need to remember the pledges we made to each other in the immediate aftermath of 4 September to work together cohesively. We need all hands to the pumps on the basis of wanting the best for our City, we need to pull together not pull apart."

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Murray Sherwin, Chair of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Commission, have confirmed their presence at the meeting. Invitations confirming the time and location of the event are being prepared for the other invitees.

Although not a public meeting, the media will be invited to be present.

ENDS