Media Release – 2 July 2015

Public feedback sought on transition

The acting chief executive of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), John Ombler, says he expects a healthy level of public feedback on the Draft Transition Recovery Plan for greater Christchurch, which was released today.

The draft plan includes Government decisions made about the transfer of some recovery functions from CERA to other Government agencies, and proposals for new recovery legislation and arrangements for the central city recovery.

“This is the time for change to begin. CERA was always designed to be a sunset organisation which had a key role in laying the groundwork in the initial stages of this recovery,” Mr Ombler says.

“Almost five years on from the earthquakes, we are well aware that the time has come to move on with a new emphasis. We want to make sure the future direction of this recovery embraces the great work done so far, but has more of a focus on regeneration.”

Mr Ombler says the Draft Transition Recovery Plan has been formulated taking into account the advice of the Advisory Board on Transition, led by Dame Jenny Shipley.

“I know the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery, Gerry Brownlee, has expressed his gratitude to Dame Jenny and her team already, and I want to reiterate that. Further decisions on the future direction can only be made with all of the ideas and information on the table, and I think the Draft Transition Recovery Plan makes that possible.”

“We have a framework that we think addresses the key areas, but we need to hear what the community says before we can fine tune the plan and confirm the way forward on certain issues. This is an incredibly important opportunity and my staff have made sure that submissions can be received in a range of ways, in order to give everyone the best opportunity to have their say.”

To ensure the background thinking from the Advisory Board on Transition is also made clear, its independent report has also been made public today and can be viewed at www.cera.govt.nz/advisory-board

The Draft Transition Recovery Plan can be viewed at www.cera.govt.nz/transition, and comment can be made there on an online form.

Alternatively, comment can be emailed to info@cera.govt.nz, or posted on CERA’s Facebook page, or posted to Draft Transition Recovery Plan, Freepost CERA, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, Private Bag 4999, Christchurch 8140.

Printed versions of the draft plan will be available at CERA’s offices at Level 8, HSBC Tower, 62 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch, and libraries and service centres in Christchurch City, and the Selwyn and Waimakariri districts.

Feedback is due by 5pm on Thursday 30 July 2015.

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