More quake-hit homes to be demolished

The Government today told 250 quake-hit families living on the banks of Christchurch's Avon River that their orange-zoned houses will be demolished.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee announced this morning that 29 houses in the eastern suburb of Linwood, as well as 144 in South Richmond and 78 south of the central city have been zoned red.

All insured residential properties in the newly red zoned areas will be subject to the Government offer of purchase.

Mr Brownlee said it was "never an easy decision'' to red zone homes, but they were left with no option.

"Despite exhaustive research into the viability of remediating damaged land and rebuilding on these areas, the case for continued occupation does not stack up,'' he said.

"An engineering solution to remediate the land and replace seriously damaged infrastructure would be uncertain, disruptive, take a very long time, and is simply not cost effective.''

The properties were all badly affected by liquefaction and extensive lateral spreading towards the Avon River as a result of the earthquakes that have devastated the city.

Most of the houses sit on the road boundary alongside the Avon River or are close to it.

Consultant engineers Tonkin & Taylor told the Government demolition was the "only feasible option''.

One home at 2 Bangor St in central city south will be saved, having been rezoned from orange to green.

Meanwhile, the residents of 401 properties in Southshore West will need to "wait a little longer'' before a decision can be made on the viability of rebuilding on their land, Mr Brownlee said.

"I know patience is running out in Southshore West, but we will soon have all the information needed to be confident of a final decision,'' he said.

The Department of Building and Housing will soon advise the Government on foundation solutions that may apply to Southshore West and Mr Brownlee said a decision will soon follow.

The Government has also reviewed the classification of 530 green zoned properties in Parklands East following the December 23 quakes, which resulted in major liquefaction in some parts of the suburb.

Officials have been in discussion with Parklands Action Group, geotechnical engineers, the Earthquake Commission and Christchurch City Council to consider whether the area still meets green zone criteria.

"A decision on Parklands is expected in the very near future,'' Mr Brownlee said.

 

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