Start dates delayed on 3 anchor projects

9:52 pm on 29 August 2013

The construction start dates have been pushed back for three of the so-called anchor projects in Christchurch.

The update came on Thursday from the Christchurch Central Development Unit, the agency of the Earthquake Recovery Authority responsible for the city's rebuild.

Construction of the health precinct and bus interchange was due to begin in the first half of next year but will now take place in the second half of the year.

And the main construction phase of the $284 million convention centre, due to start at the end of next year, is delayed until the start of 2015.

Completion dates for all three projects remain unchanged.

Geotechnical work to check the suitability of the ground beneath the convention centre and associated hotels and retail shops is due to start at the end of this year.

The five consortiums shortlisted to design, build and operate the convention centre precinct will be narrowed down to two early next year, and the winner announced late next year.