Work on construction of the Margaret Mahy Family Playground is underway to be complete in time for the Christmas holidays this year, says Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner.

City Care and JFC Limited have been awarded the main work contract to construct the playground and its surrounding park. This work includes installation of the playground equipment as well as the paving, lighting, seating and landscaping for the greater park area and Armagh Street.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner has today released the Draft Victoria Square Restoration Plan which focuses on retaining and enhancing the Square’s existing character.

The draft plan has been created using the feedback received from almost 2200 people in the first stage of the community participation process. The public will have the opportunity to share their thoughts on the draft restoration plan from today until Friday 31 July.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed the appointment of a preferred development partner for an exciting new era of inner city living in Christchurch.

After a rigorous tender process, Fletcher Residential has been confirmed as the preferred developer to work with the Government on the $800 million East and North Frame residential precinct, providing around 940 new townhouses and apartments accommodating up to 2200 residents.

The regeneration of Christchurch will be the city’s focus for the next five years as local leadership progressively takes control of the rebuild, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

“We will work closely with councils and other local stakeholders to progressively pass governance and management of the rebuild to the Canterbury community,” Mr Brownlee says.

A new Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill will replace the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011, which expires next April.

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley has announced that the Temporary Accommodation Assistance (TAA) programme for Canterbury residents affected by earthquakes is to be extended.

The TAA supports homeowners with additional costs such as rent, board, or motel stays, when they are in temporary accommodation while waiting for repairs to their homes to be completed. Up to $330 per week is available for these temporary costs.

“Over $50 million has been paid to Canterbury homeowners through this programme since 2011,” says Mrs Tolley.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner says people want to see Victoria Square preserved as a green, tranquil space that recognises its history.

The community participation process on the future of Victoria Square is underway, and almost 2200 survey responses were received from the public in the first round of feedback. This information has now been collated and the summary of feedback has been released.

“I’m delighted at how many people took the time to have their say on this important civic asset,” Ms Wagner says.

Christchurch youth councils will be creating fun and exciting events this winter as a result of a funding boost from the 2014 Winter Chill programme, Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner says.

“Winter Chill was a huge success with young people creating over sixty diverse and imaginative events which were attended by thousands across the city. I’m pleased that we can celebrate youth week by ensuring that youth-focused events will continue in the city this winter,” Ms Wagner says.

Today’s opening of the first Government-led anchor project building ushers in a new era for Christchurch and how people move around the city, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

The $53 million Bus Interchange is designed to be a user-friendly transport hub for a new Accessible City – where reduced speed limits and the redesign of central city streets will make it easier and more enjoyable for all forms of travel.

An additional $107.8 million operating funding over the next four years is provided in Budget 2015 for the Canterbury rebuild, cementing the Government’s commitment to the recovery effort.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner says the Community in Mind Shared Programme of Action, being launched today, will ensure the remarkable resilience of Canterbury communities continues.

“Recovery from natural disasters is not just about bricks and mortar. We know from international experience that people need support over time to recover their health and wellbeing,” Ms Wagner says.

A design called The Memorial Wall will make for a beautiful and fitting Canterbury Earthquake Memorial, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

The design, by Slovenian architect Grega Vezjak, has been chosen from the short-list of six designs to be built on the stretch of the Otākaro/Avon River between Montreal Street and Rhododendron Island.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner welcomes the public feedback received on Victoria Square and says the community’s ideas will help shape the future of the popular public space.

“More than 2100 people have shared their thoughts and ideas in writing on what they want to see for Victoria Square. The Square is well loved and many people have great memories, we want to ensure these memories can continue,” Ms Wagner says.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner says the continued funding of the Residential Advisory Service (RAS) means more Cantabrians will be able to access free, impartial advice on getting their home repaired or rebuilt.

RAS, funded by the Earthquake Commission, members of the Insurance Council of New Zealand and the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, has received an additional $1.2 million to keep the service running for another year.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced a process to give everyone a say on the Crown offers to owners of vacant, commercial/industrial and uninsured properties in the Residential Red Zone.

“I have asked the chief executive of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) to prepare a Recovery Plan that looks at the offers to property owners in these categories,” Mr Brownlee says.

The Government is continuing to back the recovery of central Christchurch, with about 350 public servants to relocate into a major new development, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and State Services Minister Paula Bennett have announced.

A new 8500 square metre office building to be constructed on the corner of Hereford Street and Cambridge Terrace – the site of the former central police station – will be tenanted by staff from the Ministry of Education, Housing New Zealand Corporation and the Ministry of Health.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner today welcomed the completion of more than a year’s worth of cleaning and rehabilitation of the Ōtākaro/Avon River.

“The in-river works, which finished this week, mean fish are flourishing, water is flowing faster and the riverbed is cleaner,” Ms Wagner says.

“The work has also had an immediate tourism benefit, as deepening the riverbed in some areas has allowed Christchurch’s iconic punts to extend their river route and travel upstream even at low water levels during summer.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner is welcoming the opportunity to speak directly with Christchurch residents about their thoughts on the future of Victoria Square.

“Community events are being hosted at Victoria Square where the public can come along and share their thoughts and ideas on the future of the Square,” Ms Wagner says.

“The events provide an opportunity for the public to meet the project team face-to-face, offer their ideas and have any questions answered.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the Crown is reviewing the Supreme Court’s decision, released this morning, on the appeal taken by a group of vacant, commercial and uninsured Christchurch landowners calling themselves the ‘Quake Outcasts,’ and commercial property developer Fowler Developments Limited.

“Crown Law and the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) will need to review today’s judgment and assess what steps are required.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister and Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission Gerry Brownlee is leading the New Zealand delegation to the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, from March 14-18.

“New Zealand’s expertise in reducing disaster risk is internationally recognised,” Mr Brownlee says.

“This conference will advance global thinking on how countries can reduce the risks of disasters through innovative and best practice initiatives.

Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Nicky Wagner says hundreds of people have given their opinion on the six short-listed Canterbury Earthquake Memorial designs and the public have until Sunday 15 March to provide further feedback.

“Now is the time for people to tell us which design they think best honours the victims, those who suffered, and those who helped,” Ms Wagner says.

“The designs have been on display since 24 February on the walkway beside the Canterbury Museum in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, as well as online.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner says the public will get a chance to have its say on the future of Victoria Square, part of the Te Papa Ōtākaro/Avon River Precinct.

“We all care about the future of Victoria Square and I want to make sure that the people of Christchurch can have their say to ensure the Square best reflects the community’s needs,” Ms Wagner says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today welcomed the commencement of an independent survey of the completed residential repairs in Christchurch.

Six short-listed designs for the Canterbury Earthquake Memorial have been released for public input today.

The Memorial will honour the victims of Canterbury’s earthquakes and acknowledge the suffering of all those who lived through them as well as the heroism of those who participated in the rescue and recovery operations.

More than 330 submissions were received from 37 countries after designs were sought by the Government, Christchurch City Council and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today announced an Advisory Board on Transition with a wealth of experience and knowledge about the recovery needs of greater Christchurch.

“The board, chaired by Dame Jenny Shipley, will provide me with a range of advice about the transition of functions and powers held by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) to other agencies as the recovery progresses,” Mr Brownlee says.