The Star: September 15, 2016

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10 Thursday September 15 2016 follow us on facebook.com/riseupchristchurch The Star
The Star follow us on facebook.com/riseupchristchurch Thursday September 15 2016 11 News Convention Centre’s costly break up • By Shelley Robinson IT IS likely taxpayers will be stumping up more cash for the Government’s doomed private sector relationship for the Convention Centre project. The bill paid so far is already at $5.5 million, but is likely to grow due to the “close out” process with the Government’s former partner Plenary Conventions. Labour MP Megan Woods said it was not unusual when a commercial contract was broken that compensation was paid. She asked Minister supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration Gerry Brownlee via a Parliamentary written question how much discontinuing the relationship had cost taxpayers. Mr Brownlee, in response to Dr Woods, said the “close out process” was “ongoing” and releasing the information could prejudicially affect negotiations. In late June, the Government announced it would go it alone on the project after the partnership with Plenary Conventions – made up of Carter Group headed by rich-lister Philip Carter and Ngai Tahu Property – broke down. The Star asked Mr Brownlee questions regarding the close-out process, including costs, who conducted the negotiations and which party ended the relationship. Mr Brownlee forwarded the questions to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. DPMC said the questions would have to be analysed under the Official Information Act due to legal and contractual issues. Dr Woods said it was time for Mr Brownlee to front up and stop “palming off” questions to the DPMC. “Taxpayers deserve to know, with the mess and delay of the Convention Centre, (how much it) is going to cost them. It’s about holding the Government to account,” said Dr Woods. “For a minister not to stand up and not take responsibility for a position he is elected to is not on.” But Mr Brownlee said he felt the Government had been as transparent as it could over the Convention Centre. “It is not fair to describe queries about the Convention Centre as being “palmed off” to DPMC, as ministers and Crown agents have legal, contractual and commercial constraints, which opposition MPs do not have,” he said. The Convention Centre is expected to be finished in late 2019. Council talking to town hall insurers again • By Shelley Robinson THE CITY council is busy negotiating with an insurer again – this time over the town hall. A $20 million renovation project, including upgrade of bars and the James Hay Theatre, was underway when the earthquakes struck. Work to the value of $2.8 million had been completed before the town hall was damaged in the September 4 and Boxing Day, 2010 earthquakes, and finally destroyed in the February 22, 2011. The city council’s insurance claim is for a part of the $2.8 million for work paid for but not actually completed, general manager finance and commercial Peter Gudsell said. Members of the insurance subcommittee, comprised of Mayor Lianne Dalziel, Deputy Mayor Vicki Buck, Cr Andrew Turner and Cr Raf Manji, discussed the problems with progressing the claim behind closed doors earlier this month. What was discussed is not expected to be released for at least 10 years due to “legal privilege”. Cr Buck told The Star it was a “pretty minor” issue. It is not expected to affect the $127.5 million rebuild currently underway. The city council was embroiled in insurance negotiations with the re-insurers of Civic Assurance and the Local Authority Protection Programme for about four years, finally receiving a global settlement of $635 million in December. Running 1st & 3rd Sundays every month WEKA PASS RAILWAY Steam Locomotive in Service Train hire available Fares: Adults $30 Child $12 - Family $70 Dep Glenmark 11.30am & 2.00pm Dep Waikari 1.00pm & 3.10pm Infoline: 0800WEKAPASS www.wekapassrailway.co.nz ALERT TO CHRISTCHURCH HOMEOWNERS: EQC is now asking homeowners to assess own damage. "Remedial works letters" sent to those who've complained about repair work carried out by Fletchers EQR Ask yourself: Why after 6 years does EQC give you just 30 days to assess your own damage? We say it's to reduce EQC's liabilities through homeowners not really knowing full quake or repair damage. • Do you know anything about foundation damage to your home? • Can you determine any damage to your slab under carpets? • Or if your piles need replacing? Do you know if your ring foundation is cracked on the inside? DON’T SIGN ANYTHING UNTIL YOU TALK TO US To help you stand up to EQC we are offering a fREE damage assessment to all clients who sign with us in the next 30 days.* *Conditions apply NO WIN NO FEE Ph: 03 377 8855 | 127 Ferry Road, Christchurch City E: reception@earthquakeservices.co.nz | W: www.earthquakeservices.co.nz
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The Star: September 15, 2016

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