Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker is confident a plan to build a massive underground dam around earthquake-damaged areas of Canterbury will get the go-ahead.
The underground wall structure will encircle eight areas damaged as a result of the 7.1 magnitude quake.
The Government says the strengthened terrain will minimise the impact of large quakes on suburbs which have been affected by liquefaction.
It would be built from concrete or wooden columns that would be driven into the ground.
Mr Parker told Morning Report he backs the project, particularly as it will be built under public land.
