Parliament was told today that since the national state of emergency was declared on February 23, 139 buildings in Christchurch have been authorised for demolition and 17 of those authorisations were made without contacting the buildings' owners.
Parliament was told today that since the national state of emergency was declared on February 23, 139 buildings in Christchurch have been authorised for demolition and 17 of those authorisations were made without contacting the buildings' owners.
Civil Defence Minister John Carter said "thorough efforts" were made to make contact with the owners, and of the 17, 12 were authorised made before March 8 when the search for survivors and body recovery was the primary focus.
Mr Carter was asked what steps were being taken to ensure building owners or businesses were able to retrieve valuables, personal effects or other items like records before buildings were demolished.
"We're mindful of peoples' safety, that was our primary objective," Mr Carter said.
"Goods were not in consideration at that time, now we are conscious of the fact that where possible, where business owners can retrieve their goods we're ensuring that can happen as speedily as possible without any risk to anybody."
He said the demolitions were authorised under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act.
