Central Christchurch secure – but businesses fed up

Central Christchurch is dead as a commercial centre.

Christchurch’s central business district remains locked down under the authority of Civil Defence controller John Hamilton.

Behind the scenes, the government and city council struggle to come to grips with creating a new authority that will break the impasse and get things going.

In spite of his excellent job in rousing public confidence, the job appears to be beyond mayor Bob Parker. He and city council chief executive Tony Marryatt disappointed locals after the initial September 4, 2010 earthquake with the slow pace of recovery.

The paralysis is galling for residents and businesspeople are increasingly restive about their inability to retrieve possessions and business gear.

They look at the hundreds of soldiers, police and Civil Defence personnel milling about cordons and appearing to be doing little except preventing movement. Sometimes the roads behind the cordons appear to be clear of any danger but the security powers-that-be seem uncomfortable about shrinking the locked down area.

Local businesspeople and some residents have asked why the hundreds of security people are not being organised into squads to assist people in retrieving their property so they can get on with their lives. Some of the properties have minimal damage and good access. But it appears none of this matters because security staff have their orders: “entry is forbidden, end of story.” 

>Escort groups are being organised but with glacial slowness.

A university student told NBR NZPI of “camping” alternately at her parents and her boyfriend’s mother’s house with few possessions but a change of clothes. In her undamaged central flat lie her computer and the things she needs to complete her degree. But with lectures due to begin this week she has just about decided to cancel her enrolment until mid year or next year. Her story is just one small example of the impediments facing residents.

The frustration at the paralysis spilled over to protest yesterday with plans for a demonstration outside the city art gallery where Civil Defence is based.

;It is now four weeks since the tragic earthquake of February 22, and for most of us, we are no closer to knowing the fate of our businesses/buildings and when we will be allowed back into them to retrieve critical records, secure the premises as well as allowing independent engineers’ assessments,” according to an email message sent anonymously to business owners.

Those of us who have attempted dialogue with the council, Civil Defence or central government are simply fobbed off or given contradictory advice.

The lack of leadership and control of the recovery effort is truly frightening. Recovery is sadly the wrong word for what is going on, and in fact the opposite is occurring.

Unnecessary demolitions and access delays is killing any chance of a recovery by the businesses expected to lead the recovery. What wasn’t destroyed in the CBD by the earthquake, is now being destroyed by a shambolic civil defence and demolition crew anarchy,” according to an email message to business owners.”

In other parts of the city commuters continue their love affair with the motor car in spite of the obvious advantages of biking, walking or taking the bus. Gridlock is the order of the day in the four avenues surrounding the central business district.

A new financial centre may be forming along Moorhouse Ave, formerly the preserve of car dealerships and bulk retail. The likes of Forsyth Barr and Craigs Investment Partners have leased new space there. Further along the road travelling west, Addington and recent developments like Show Place have become new busy centres as have Sheffield Crescent and other precincts close to the airport.