NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 61

31 MAY 2012

Regulation, standards and other information to support the rebuild and repair of housing to a quality that meets the technical requirements for the land categories and building standards. One of these requirements is that:

• when making a resource consent application or a request for a plan change for the subdivision of land, the person proposing the subdivision must address the risk of liquefaction. As a minimum, that person must provide the local authority with a geotechnical assessment in accordance with the Guidelines for the geotechnical investigation and assessment of subdivisions in the Canterbury region (Department of Building and Housing, 14 November 2011).
  1 [This requirement does not apply where a building will not be permitted as a result of the subdivision of land.]

A functioning Central Business District, suburban areas and rural towns that provide opportunities for local businesses and economic activities to relocate, maintain services and grow.

Opportunities and facilities for sporting, recreational and cultural activities.

6 Phases of recovery and milestones – Ngā Wāhanga me ngā Tohu o te Whakaara

Many actions are needed to support the community early in the recovery; other activities can be undertaken only after investigation and planning. Recovery activities can be organised into typical phases that indicate what to expect as the community moves from the emergency response to short-term recovery and then medium- to longer-term recovery.

As seismic activity continues in greater Christchurch, progress through these recovery phases may be complex. If there is another earthquake, it may be necessary to return to a previous phase to deal with immediate recovery needs.

The following table outlines typical recovery phases and some key milestones for greater Christchurch. For more information about the timeline and achievements to date, see the CERA website at http://cera.govt.nz/recovery-strategy

Typical phases of recovery

Immediate – repair, patch and plan

• Provide basic human needs and support services.
• Address health and safety issues.
• Make safe or demolish unsafe and damaged buildings and structures.
• Investigate, scope and initiate recovery programmes and initiatives.
• Plan for land use and settlement patterns so land can be made available for displaced residents.
• Conduct ongoing programme of investigation and research to understand the geotechnical issues and seismic conditions. Use this information to guide recovery activities and decisions on land suitability for rebuilding.

Short term – begin to rebuild, replace and reconstruct

• Engage both established and new communities and inform them about rebuilding and future planning.
• Establish new social and health support and service delivery models.
• Continue demolition of damaged buildings.
• Continue repair and rebuild.
• Deliver early projects to instil confidence.
• Planning and supporting community resilience.
• Begin replacement activity.
• Begin restoration and adaptive reuse of heritage features.
• Continue, monitor and review recovery.

Medium to longer term – construct, restore and improve

• Continue to build resilient communities.
• Continue reconstruction.
• Major construction projects are underway.
• Complete restoration and adaptive reuse of heritage features.
• Phase out recovery organisations.
• Economy is growing and businesses are sustainable.
• Labour market is active and attracting employees.

Indicative recovery milestones for greater Christchurch

September 2010 to December 2011

Repair, patch and plan

• Support, assist and provide information to communities and individuals.
• Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT) Alliance assesses damage and starts repairs to infrastructure.
• Restore non-chlorinated water supply to residents and declare beaches safe for swimming.
• Decide on suitability of land for rebuilding. Establish green and red residential zones.
• Government makes offer to purchase residential red zone properties and settlements begin.
• Begin to demolish dangerous buildings.
• New Building Act Guidelines establish new standards for buildings.
• Earthquake Commission (EQC) and insurance companies undertake damage assessments and payouts are underway.
• Greater Christchurch residents engage with government and local government on the future of the central city and the nature and coordination of recovery activities (draft Recovery Plan for the CBD and draft Recovery Strategy).
• Facilitate the release of land for new subdivisions.