More demolitions and water restrictions for Christchurch

The Crowne Plaza hotel in central Christchurch is on a list of more quake-damaged buildings bound for destruction. Photo / Simon Baker

More quake-damaged buildings are to be demolished in Christchurch and water restrictions are being introduced in the city for the first time in 13 years.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) today released details of another 65 earthquake-damaged buildings earmarked for demolition.

The list features high-profile buildings including the Crowne Plaza, Coyotes Bar on the infamous Strip, as well as The Latimer Hotel and the Glassons Building on Cashel Street. The Radio Shack, a heritage building at Christchurch Boys' High School, is also going.

Another 50 buildings are scheduled for full demolition, including 26 heritage buildings, while a further 15 buildings have been marked for partial demolition, including 12 heritage buildings.

Cera expects around 900 buildings in Christchurch's central business district will be demolished, with another 300 buildings outside the city centre to be brought down.

Meanwhile, widespread earthquake damage to the city's water infrastructure has forced council officials to impose restrictions on water use from tomorrow until February.

Council water and waste manager Mark Christison said the city's reservoirs and water wells were badly damaged during the September 4, February 22, and June 13 earthquakes.

The level of damage meant that for the first time since the drought of 1998, restrictions would be in place as the system could not cope with usual summertime demand.

"This is a citywide issue. If we don't start conserving water now, with an aim to reduce the traditional summer-time outdoor water demand, total outdoor watering bans will have to be imposed for the city," Mr Christison said.

Residents will be banned from outdoor watering on Mondays. Odd-numbered street addresses can water their gardens on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Residents with even-numbered street addresses can water their gardens on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Sprinklers, garden irrigation systems and unattended hoses are not permitted at any time but car-washing is permitted on allocated days.