2 Oct 2013

10-day deadline issued for hotel demolition site

12:43 pm on 2 October 2013

The owners of the collapsed Copthorne hotel in Christchurch have 10 days to come up with a plan to make the site safe again.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment has banned all further work on the site while it investigates what caused seven floors to unexpectedly collapse on Saturday.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority on Wednesday issued the owners with a section 38 notice, to speed up the removal of the remaining structure.

The notice gives the owners up to 10 days to submit a plan to remove the hazard and make the site safe.

A spokesperson says the ministry and the authority will work with the site owners and their contractors to review the demolition plan before it is approved.

The collapsed Copthorne Hotel in Christchurch.

The collapsed Copthorne Hotel in Christchurch. Photo: RNZ