Complaints laid over quake contracts

10:22 pm on 6 July 2011

The Auditor-General's office has received two complaints about the way in which $2.8 million worth of contracts were awarded by Christchurch City Council staff.

The council signed off 14 contracts last week with several design and architecture firms to help develop plans for the rebuild of the severely earthquake-damaged central city.

A spokesperson for the Auditor-General's office says it has received complaints about contracts awarded without seeking approval from Christchurch City Councillors, or going through a proper tender process.

One of the contracts given to Impact Project Management was worth almost $900,000. Usually anything above $500,000 has to be approved by councillors first.

The Auditor-General's office says it has indications that more complaints will be laid soon and they will be decided on in due course.

Radio New Zealand understands the complaints have been laid by Christchurch City Councillors.