The Government will not know how big its share of the Canterbury earthquake repair bill will be until its new Recovery Commission has had a chance to draft a recovery plan, Gerry Brownlee says.
Cabinet was today considering legislation expected to be enacted tomorrow that will establish the commission responsiblefor overseeing reconstruction and repairs to Christchurch and the surrounding areas' infrastructure and homes following last Saturday's 7.1 magnitude earthquake.
Treasury has estimated the bill for the reconstruction and repair of homes and businesses may be about $4 billion, with most of that covered by private sector insurers and the Earthquake Commission.
However central and local government are facing big repair bills for damaged infrastructure including roads and sewerage. The Heraldunderstands most of this will not be covered by insurance.
Yesterday, Mr Brownlee, the minister responsible for coordinating the Government's response said the cost to the Crown was still to be quantified.
"We can really only say to the people of Canterbury that the Government stands behind them on this reconstruction.
Some initial assessments had been made about roading, housing and sewerage, "but it wouldn' matter what sort of number you came up with, until there is a proper recovery plan in place that becomes somewhat academic".
Cabinet would today consider reports from all ministers outlining their portfolio perspectives and what their plans were.
It will also consider a paper prepared by a number of departments led by the Ministry of the Environment detailing what is needed in terms of temporary emergency legislation and proposals for the Recovery Commission.
Mr Brownlee said a range of legal processes that could slow up the recovery will be dealt with in the paper.
"As we move from a state of emergency into a state of more urgency, we still need to have provision and some indemnity so that as that work is carried out we're able to make sure there's no unnecessary impediment to it being done."
District authorities will still retain a high level of control and will be
able to separate out functions regarded as "business as usual".
The legislation is likely to affect "a long list of Acts" including the Building Act, Resource Management Act, and the Transport Act.
"It would be fair to say the legislation we're putting to cabinet would in fact enable a satisfactory and smooth reconstruction over a period of time."
Mr Brownlee is expected to release further details this afternoon.
