Brownlee moves on first compulsory purchases in Christchurch
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee moves to compulsorily acquire central Christchurch properties
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A proclamation to seize private central Christchurch land is about to be advertised.
Some owners have rejected Crown offers to buy their land for the government's rebuild plans and the compulsory acquisition process will test the values being offered.
Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee announced today that nine properties will be seized under the state’s most draconian legislation allowing private land to be taken for public works.
The properties are being acquired under Section 55 of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011.
The proclamation to take the properties will be publicly notified and gazetted, before the land is vested in the Crown on the 14th day after the day on which it is gazetted.
The properties are on land bounded by Hereford St to the south, Manchester St to the west, Oxford Tce to the north, and Madras St to the east.
Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority communications advisor Jarrod Booker says the properties are within the “east frame” which is destined to cater for residential development, a small amount of commercial space, and open spaces and a playground.
He says in some case compulsory acquisition makes the sale process easier – for example in cases of bankruptcy or a deceased estate.
He was unsure how many owners were taking a stand to challenge the values offered by CERA to buy their properties.
But he says some of the owners have rejected the valuations offered by CERA.
Owners whose properties are taken may appeal to Minister Brownlee to argue their case about values.
The Crown now owns 55% of the total land area it requires for anchor projects, which equates to 171 of 345 properties.
Chris Hutching
Wed, 02 Oct 2013
Wed, 02 Oct 2013
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Brownlee moves on first compulsory purchases in Christchurch
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