Church told to release cathedral documents

The Government is releasing its documents relating to Christ Church Cathedral's demolition, and has called on the church to do the same.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said today that all documents held by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority regarding the Cathedral would be released on the department's website at 9am tomorrow).

Given the public interest in landmark's deconstuction, Mr Brownlee said the Anglican Church should also release all advice and documentation it had been working from.

"There are a range of views on the very difficult decision the Anglican Church has made about the future of its cathedral, and given the significance of the building this issue is of huge concern to many people in the community,'' he said.

"I believe that if the public is able to see the advice the church has been working from there is likely to be more understanding about the extent of the damage to the cathedral, and the rationale behind the decision to partially deconstruct it.''

Mr Brownlee said the initial demolition permit had been issued to deal with the tower, which he described as "dangerously unstable'', and further permits would be issued to partially deconstruct the building to no lower than two metres.

 

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