Infrastructure Rebuild prioritises the east

The August 2012 Infrastructure Rebuild Monthly Report was received by Council yesterday.

Councillor Aaron Keown, deputy chair of the Environment and Infrastructure Committee said that although the Council has received criticism for a perception that the eastern suburbs have not been prioritised enough, the numbers clearly contradict that perception.

“The report provides a clear indication of where works start and end. The Burwood-Pegasus Ward has had 80 projects completed by SCIRT since 1 September 2011 to July 2012, at a total cost of  $23.2 million This is considerably greater than other wards, with Hagley-Ferrymead at 62 projects, totalling $18.9 million, Spreydon-Heathcote 16 projects, totalling $6.3 million and Fendalton-Waimairi at 3 projects totalling $209,784,” he says.

“I would encourage every Cantabrian to have a look at the SCIRT website to see where the $26 billion on infrastructure rebuild is going. The rebuild is definitely starting in the east then moving to the west of the city, “ he says.

The SCIRT website explains how work throughout the city will be scheduled over the coming years. It also has a six month work schedule, outlining which projects are expected to be under construction in the next six months. www.strongerchristchurch.govt.nz/work/schedule/

“The infrastructure rebuild highlights how well the working partnership between Council and Central Government is going.” he says.

Other decisions made by the Council yesterday include:

• Making an extra $5.2 million available for one-off recovery or transitional projects over the next two years. The money is interest earned by the Capital Endowment Fund.
• The Council received the Consenting Rebuild Monthly Report which noted that the promotion of pre-application meetings continues to be successful with 62 building issues and planning related pre-application meetings undertaken in July 2012.
• 2,350 building inspections were completed in July 2012 with 100% of these inspections completed within three working days from being booked.
• In July 2012, there has been a modest increase in the number of applications received and granted. From June 2012, the number of applications has increased from 179 to 207 received and 125 to 167 granted.
• Approving a Heritage Incentive Grant of up to $240,000 for conservation and maintenance work for the protected McKenzie and Willis heritage building at 236 Tuam Street subject to the applicant entering a Full Conservation Covenant.
• The Council also received the Heritage Incentives Grant six monthly report. The Heritage Incentive Grant Fund had a budget of $763,684 for the 2011/12 financial year. A total of six new grants had been approved from the 2011/12 budget by 31 July
• 012 and two payments made for a grant approved in previous years (St Pauls Pacific Trinity).        
• Heritage Incentive Grants Approved By Committee July 2011 to June 2012

Grant details less than $100,000.00 2011/12

• Approved grant for 3 Church Street, Akaroa $7,384
• Approved grant for 10 Norwich Quay, Lyttelton $20,828
• Approved grant for 209 Tuam Street, Christchurch $12,067
• Approved grant for 16 Canterbury Street, Lyttelton $28,851
• Approved grant for 3 Coleridge Terrace, Lyttelton $6,315
• Payment to St Pauls Pacific Trinity for work completed prior to demolition of the building  $49,598
• Payment to St Pauls Pacific Trinity for work to Pews prior to demolition of building $71,500
• Grant details greater than $100,000.00
• 14 Wise Street, Woods Mill (full covenant required) $884,750

Total of Approved grants $1,081,293