Christchurch's 'recovery' is now 'regeneration,' son of CERA set up

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Christchurch’s recovery has now become regeneration, according to the government’s spin masters.

A new Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill will replace the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011, which expires next April.

Prime Minister John Key outlined the changes in a state-of-the-nation speech at a crowded Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce lunch attended by hundreds of businesspeople.

A new bureaucracy called Regenerate Christchurch will be set up.

The new organisation will have primary responsibility for the development within Christchurch’s four avenues and delivery of the Crown’s major projects and precincts in the central city.

Some functions carried out by CERA will be passed to other government agencies, and others will be transferred into a business unit within the Department of Prime Minster and Cabinet.

The proposed changes are explained in detail in the draft transition recovery plan, which will be released today for public submission by CERA acting chief executive John Ombler.

Mr Key reiterated the government’s commitment to anchor projects such as a convention centre and metro sports facility but says announcements will be made in coming months about them.

However, he did unveil plans for new central city housing.

Fletcher Residential has won a tender to become the preferred developer to work with the government on the $800 million “east and north frame” (of the central business district) residential precinct, providing around 940 new townhouses and apartments accommodating up to 2200 residents.

Fletcher Residential has provided the government with concept images for the proposed developments across the east and north frames, broken down into three areas of housing, and supported by small-scale commercial development and community facilities.

“If the development agreement is confirmed later this year, Fletcher Residential will progressively buy 7ha of land in the east and north frames – between Manchester and Madras Sts, from just north of the Avon River to Lichfield St – to develop the housing.

“Construction will be spread over eight or nine years, with the first homes expected to be complete within 18 months of a development agreement being signed. That final agreement is likely to be signed by the end of November this year.

“Fletcher Residential will set the prices when the homes go onto market but most are likely to be within $400,000 and $900,000 – providing opportunity for a range of living situations,” according to an official statement.

The first thing people will see will be the development of the public spaces in the east and north frame by the government from later this year.