Quake hit areas can be fixed, experts say

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Most Cantabrians in earthquake-damaged areas will be able to stay put if they wish, the Government says.

But many residents in areas worst hit by the 7.1-magnitude quake have already departed, and others are planning to go because of the long wait expected in repairing damaged land and restoring basic services.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee yesterday quashed speculation that whole suburbs of Christchurch would have to be abandoned, saying a report by geotechnical engineers for the Earthquake Commission showed the damaged land could and would be fixed in about 98 per cent of cases.

"The most recent information suggests very few people will be forced to relocate because their land is beyond cost-effective repair," he said.

"There are a small number of sections in the city that may be so damaged that it's not worth fixing."

In many of the quake-affected areas, all of the land could be repaired.

Karron Gosney, a spokeswoman for residents in the badly damaged Christchurch suburb of Avonside, said her cul-de-sac was virtually deserted and she was moving because holes kept opening up in the street.

"They can say what they like, but who wants to live in a street where it is disappearing?" Ms Gosney said.

"We can understand that things are going to get fixed. But it's not going to be overnight. It's not even going to be in a few months. We don't want to be moving home and then moving back in six months."

Mr Brownlee said the public release of the detailed geotechnical reports would be made in conjunction with Government decisions on how to address the damage.

The Cabinet would discuss the information from the commission on Monday and a briefing for local councils was likely to follow. Information from the geotechnical report would then be released, with affected individuals being contacted from next week about a plan of action.

"This will not provide answers to every question, but it will outline the Government's approach and a timeline for working through the issues of land repair, construction and accommodation over the months ahead."

Mr Brownlee blamed "amateur geologists and backyard engineers" for scaremongering.