Govt delivers a blow to some, relief to others

Leeann Christensen with son Noah was happy to hear their home was in the red zone. Photo / Simon Baker

More than 5000 Christchurch homeowners now know their quake-hit homes will not be repaired, while a further 10,500 have been left in limbo after the Government yesterday outlined where rebuilding could happen.

The city has been divided into four coloured zones, including a residential red zone covering about 5100 houses that will not be rebuilt.

Included are parts of the hard-hit eastern suburbs of Avonside, Dallington, Bexley and Avondale, as well as, in the northeast of Christchurch, parts of suburban Brooklands and the beach area of Waimakariri District.

Meanwhile, about 10,500 homes in the residential orange zone are still in doubt following the June 13 aftershocks, with about 9000 in the Christchurch City Council area and 1500 in the Waimakariri District Council area.

The Government described the orange area as a "hold-zone", saying the land damage there ranged from moderate to very severe and that more investigation was needed to determine whether land repair was practical.

Terry Banks yesterday learned his family home of 29 years in Richmond, next to the Avon River, has no future because of the earthquake-damaged land. "We're gutted. We've raised a family, I've had my grandparents here, my mum and dad, the kids were born here. Now we've got to leave."

Across the road, Ian Williams is happy to learn the land is okay for his family home to stay, and he is likely to benefit from the creation of new parkland opposite him.

"It's sad to see the neighbourhood change, but change has a certain inevitability about it. In five or 10 years' time, I'll probably be looking at my much-enhanced property value."

The reactions varied wildly yesterday as the Government announced its assessment.

In some cases, such as in Woodchester Ave - where the Banks and Williams families live - the difference is only a single-lane road.

"This has been a major event and the Government is committed to getting things right for the people of Canterbury," said Prime Minister John Key.

"We're moving as quickly as we can to give some certainty to those affected."

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said: "Giving people the ability to relocate on land where they can rebuild immediately is the best option we have.

"In the end, we are giving people the option to get out of there because it's an uncomfortable place to live."

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said about 17,000 sections were available for people to rebuild in Christchurch if they wished to, with more on the way.

Mother of two Leeann Christensen, 30, will have to leave her red zone home in Richmond but is happy to do so, "because we totally want out".

"Our house is not far off the green zone - only about five houses down - so they can't get out, but we can. We'll go rent and then decide what we're going to do."