11 Mar 2014

Bazley sees role for Cera beyond 2016

8:16 am on 11 March 2014

The chair of the Canterbury Regional Council says the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority should continue to have a major role in the rebuild beyond April 2016, when its governing legislation expires.

Speaking at a public forum about Christchurch's recovery on Monday night, Dame Margaret Bazley said that although she supports the city council's regaining its traditional responsibilities, the city is dealing with unprecedented challenges that need guidance from central government.

"We're dealing with things that are well beyond the traditional responsibilities of councils," she said. "2016 - it's too early."

Mayor Lianne Dalziel told the forum that conversations need to be had because, by law, a transition plan reducing the role of the recovery authority must be written by April next year.