Public to debate Christchurch recovery strategy

The Christchurch Earthquake Recovery Authority’s draft recovery strategy will be released for public consultation next week.

Cabinet has signed off on the draft strategy, which is the overarching document covering 10 more specific Recovery Plans for greater Christchurch.

"While the initial recovery is well underway in Canterbury, this strategy sets out a proposed direction and priorities for the long term recovery of greater Christchurch," Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

“This document will help shape how we rebuild the city and region in partnership with the private and public sector and with the people of greater Christchurch.

“It has a strong focus on sustaining a robust job market and ensuring the continuity of income for residents.”

Mr Brownlee says a long-term strategy for recovery from a series of natural disasters has never been needed before in New Zealand

“The recovery strategy is a coordinating document which identifies the broad parameters of recovery, which parties will be involved, the Recovery Plans they will be involved in implementing, and importantly, when the work will be done,” Mr Brownlee said.

“Co-ordinating financial, physical and human resources is critical for ensuring taxpayers' money is being spent wisely and restoring confidence in the private sector.

“While local authorities will play a vital role in repairing and restoring essential infrastructure, NGOs and investment from the private sector will be critical for recovery.

“This includes not only banks, insurers, institutional investors, commercial building owners and developers but every homeowner in the greater Christchurch area – making it incredibly important that a wide range of local people give their views on the document.”

Meanwhile, Mr Brownlee says the Canterbury Economic Indicators released today show positive signs for the region.

Key indicators show:
• Exports and imports from major ports and the airports are higher than the same period last year and have improved significantly since the February earthquake.
• Manufacturing has been expanding since May and at a rate higher than the rest of New Zealand.
• Consumer transactions in Canterbury remain stable at around 90% to 95% of levels prior to the February earthquake. The impact from the June earthquakes was minimal.
• The number of individual tax payers leaving Canterbury is stabilising.
• Job advertisements remain at a high level relative to the rest of the country, with construction leading the way.

"The improvement in manufacturing and exports in Canterbury in the past couple of months is particularly heartening and hopefully will help lead a general recovery," Mr Brownlee says.

Mr Brownlee has also announced more than 9700 residential properties in the Christchurch Port Hills area have been rezoned from white to green.

"This means these homeowners can now get on with the process of repairing or rebuilding their homes if they were damaged by the earthquakes," he says.