Christchurch City Council media advisory - 5 September 8pm

Cordons are tonight being lifted on some central city areas.

1) The cordon has been lifted in the area bounded by:

* Durham Street/Cambridge Terrace
* Montreal Street
* Armagh Street and
* Kilmore St

There will be full access to this area as at risk buildings have been
isolated.

2) A cordon will remain in place in the area bounded by:

* Armagh Street
* Durham Street/ Cambridge Terrace
* Madras Street and
* St Asaph Street


3) On Monday morning, the Council expects to be able to lift the cordon
from:

* Colombo Street to Cambridge Terrace and
* Cathedral Square

There will be no access to the cordoned areas by building owners or the
public because of ongoing risk to them.

"We will work on the rest of the streets around Manchester St but
lifting the entire cordon may take to at least the middle of the week
because of the serious damage to buildings in this area and the
subsequent risk posed by these buildings," says Rescue Manager John
Buchan.

He says there are 20 structural engineers from Christchurch and
throughout New Zealand, supported by Council Building Inspection staff
and Building Control staff . "They will continue to work and assess
every commercial building that we know is damaged and mark commercial
building which we consider to be suitable for their intended use."

Mr Buchan says Urban Search and Rescue teams have already resolved
issues in residential homes including securing homes, removing chimneys
and ensuring people have access to their properties.