The agencies overseeing the rebuilding of earthquake-damaged Christchurch are not talking enough and are confused about service levels, a report says.
English: Coat of arms of the City of Christchurch (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Canterbury rebuild is being hindered by a lack of communication between the three public entities running it, according to a report from the Auditor-General.
The report examines how well the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera), the New Zealand Transport Agency, and Christchurch City Council are fixing roads and underground water, wastewater, and stormwater pipes through an alliance called the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (Scirt).
“Scirt’s effectiveness is increasingly hindered by a lack of clarity about roles and limited involvement from the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority,” Auditor-General Lyn Provost said.
The authority was not engaging with Scirt to the extent needed and Scirt’s rapid operational pace was misaligned with the slower progress of strategic planning for the wider rebuild.
“Protracted decision-making, especially in the central city, could gradually reduce Scirt’s ability to deliver repairs.”
The report also found a lack of understanding about service levels.
Earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 caused massive damage to Christchurch. The cost to the Crown will be about $13.5 billion and Christchurch City Council faces costs of $2.6b, the report says.
It is the second report by the Auditor-General in two weeks to criticise the Christchurch rebuild, after the Earthquake Commission was taken to task for poor communication and inconsistent dealings with customers.
The report also finds that because no decisions have been made about the future of red-zone land and flood defence options, stormwater and street repair works will be delayed.
“Cera is responsible for resolving the future of red zone land. Scirt has explained that delaying stormwater repair work would also delay critical roading repairs.
“It anticipates that these decisions could be delayed for 12 months or more,” the report says.
