The row over what to do with Christchurch's earthquake-crippled Christ Church Cathedral drags on.
The row over what to do with Christchurch's earthquake-crippled Christ Church Cathedral drags on.
A Government-tasked working group has concluded that a "reinstatement" of Christchurch's earthquake-crippled Christ Church Cathedral will cost $105 million - just days after the Anglican Church said a decision on the landmark building's future won't be made until at least September.
It's been more than six years since the Gothic-stylecathedral was badly damaged in the 6.3-magnitude February 22, 2011 earthquake that devastated the Garden City.
Arguments over whether the 136-year-old building in the heart of Christchurch should be restored to its former glory, or partly-reinstated, or demolished and replaced with a modern new building have raged between the church, heritage campaigners, and the wider public over the past six-and-a-half years.
Bishop Victoria Matthews announced earlier this week that a decision over the derelict building would be made by the church's synod, made up of 200 clergy and elected members of the local diocese, in September.
Today, since original negotiations around the cathedral have stalled, Minister supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration Nicky Wagner has released the Cathedral Working Group Recommendation Report.
It calls for the reinstatement of the cathedral at an estimated cost of $105m, to be funded by philanthropic and public donations, the Church's insurance proceeds and support from central and local government.
"I firmly believe we need an agreed solution on the future of the cathedral, and we need it sooner rather than later," Wagner said.
"About half of Christchurch wants to see the cathedral reinstated, the other half wants something new and more modern, but really, everyone just needs a decision.
"Agreement is vital because any decision that ties everyone up in the courts for five to 10 years is no decision at all."
As a resident of Christchurch, Wagner says she "understands and shares" the community's frustration over the lack of tangible progress.
Wagner says she is committed to breaking the deadlock quickly, without "re-litigating the past".
Today, Wagner hosted a meeting with all Christchurch Members of Parliament to seek cross-party support for the Government's commitment to brokering a solution.
"I will continue to work closely with the Anglican Church, the Christchurch City Council and other key stakeholders to discuss all possible solutions," Wagner said.
Earlier this week, Labour and Green Party MPs banded together in their fight for a resolution on what to do with the Christ Church Cathedral .
Labour's Canterbury spokeswoman Megan Woods says too many people have dragged the chain.
She says they're willing to do whatever needs to be done to break this current deadlock.
