Christchurch Announcement a Leap Forward

Property Council supports the Government’s new measures to aid the Christchurch rebuild.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced 1,100 government staff across 13 agencies will move back into the Christchurch CBD by 2016.

The staff will be housed in four new commercial buildings with leases worth $170 million over the next 20 years.

This is well needed for the Christchurch private sector and community as it is the beginning of investment being encouraged back into the city.

The Government is obviously taking its role in the rebuild seriously and this is a clear indication of that, as it encourages other development and service provisions to move into the area.

The move is also strongly symbolic, with the Government taking the lead in bringing important activity back into Christchurch’s CBD post-quakes.

Property Council Christchurch Branch President Glenn Taylor says the private sector is enthusiastic and long-ready to work collaboratively with Government agencies to see progress.

“We are keen to see the public and private sectors come together increasingly. We have been saying this for a long time.

“Private sector expertise and influence is both inevitable and essential in Christchurch’s rebuild and we encourage the Government to keep engaged – particularly to better manage risks and processes.”

NZCID chief executive Stephen Selwood says it is important that the momentum in Christchurch’s rebuild is continued and opportunities it provides seized.

“This is a massive boost in business confidence not just for the Christchurch CBD, but all of the region. We are at a critical point in the recovery phase to make sure investment and business are encouraged back into the city.”

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