The city council's finance and performance committee opted on Tuesday to divert $35.8m of its $44.4m budget savings into funding three projects.
It will put $15m into the cathedral; $15m for Canterbury Museum (plus a $28.6m loan, with interest, to be paid back over 25 years via an international visitor charge); and $4m for the Christchurch School of Music.
Another $1.8m from the surplus will be used to top up the cathedral levy fund, which was stopped last year.
The proposal was put forward by councillors Sam MacDonald and Jake McLellan - and had the support of Mayor Phil Mauger.
Under their plan, the council’s money was contingent on all three projects proving they had enough money to complete their builds. The museum and cathedral will also need to receive Government money too.
Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Ltd, the joint venture company formed to restore the cathedral, has asked ratepayers and/or taxpayers to fill $40m to $45m of the $95m needed to complete a pared-down restoration. About $90m has already been spent.
The government has previously said it would not contribute more money to the cathedral rebuild, although in March New Zealand First leader Winston Peters pledged to contribute an extra $15 million if his party was part of the next government.
At a council finance and performance committee meeting on Tuesday, 12 councillors voted in favour of the extra funds and two abstained, while councillors Celeste Donovan, Yani Johanson and Andrei Moore voted against the move.
Councillor Jake McLelland - who supported the decision - said the money would help to close the book on Christchurch's earthquake legacy.
"We can't knock it down, it's not going to be any cheaper to encase it in a glass exo-skeleton and I don't think leaving it there in perpetuity is a real option either," he said.
McLelland said the council and government should continue to back the rebuild, even though costs had risen.
"When three parties agree to fund something, when there is a blow-out, the three parties have to come to the party and fix that problem. This is us doing that. This is us throwing the gauntlet to central government, this is us digesting the rat," he said.
Moore accused councillors of ignoring public feedback about whether they supported giving more financial support to the cathedral project.
"Fourteen percent of the respondents supported funding the cathedral and our response to that has been not only to fund $15 million to the cathedral but also to expedite that to the annual plan rather than the long term plan that we asked them about in the first place, which will leave many wondering what the point was in having their say in the first place," he said.
Moore said the sum of $15 million had not been put out for public consultation and in his own informal survey of people in his Halswell ward, 91 percent of the 1200 respondents were opposed.
While the money would come from a $44 million council surplus, he said it was disingenuous to say it would not come from ratepayers' pockets.
"It could be used to reduce rates or pay down debt which would make it all that much easier to meet a rates cap," Moore said.
Committee chairperson Sam MacDonald said the council commitment was about presenting the museum, school of music and cathedral with a challenge to find the balance of the funds, rather than writing a cheque.
"We have laid down a challenge to them go and find the rest of your money and demonstrate to us that you can finish this project and then we will give you the money," he said.
The decision must now be ratified as part of the annual plan.
During consultation, only 14% of 1229 people who submitted on the cathedral during recent consultation supported the council putting more money into it. Some 35% were against and 51% did not state a preference, while 69% were in favour of investing in the museum and 22% supported contributing more to the Arts Centre. The Canterbury Provincial Chambers will miss out on funding.
The Right Reverend Dr Peter Carrell, Anglican Bishop of Christchurch, and Steve Wakefield, chair of Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Ltd, released a joint statement on the decision this afternoon.
During the consultation 70% of respondents saw the importance of the restoring four heritage buildings as critical or important.
The specific support for each of the four listed for consideration was remarkably similar. Both the cathedral and the Arts Centre were singled out at 17% of council forms with the museum only slightly ahead at 20%.
"Today’s decision by Christchurch City Council renews the city’s commitment to reinstating Christ Church Cathedral. It is an important milestone for the project and brings the earthquake era closer to conclusion," the joint statement said.
"We greatly appreciate this support, which is a strong signal towards the Cathedral’s reopening.
"It reflects Christchurch’s enduring spirit and the community’s shared commitment to revitalising the Cathedral and Cathedral Square for residents and visitors alike.
"A reopened Cathedral will make a significant civic, cultural and economic contribution to the city, and today’s decision brings that future much closer.
"The project is now in a stronger position, with today’s decision moving us $15 million closer to completing the funding pathway for our reduced scope Re:Opening plan.
"Central government matching the Council’s contribution remains a condition of this funding. NZ First has already signalled its support, and we are very grateful for that commitment.
"Since opening in 1881, the Cathedral and Cathedral Square have been a place for everyone. Reaching collective agreement now would allow construction to restart this year and keep us on track to reopen in 2030, so that by 2031, 20 years on from the earthquake, the Cathedral bells could ring out once again.
"In the meantime, CCRL and the Diocese are determined to explore all funding options, including renewed fundraising efforts."
"We are delighted and hugely grateful for this significant support.
"This investment maintains momentum on the project and brings us a step closer to reopening a world-class museum in the heart of the city, reconnecting our communities with the collections and stories they value.
"The council’s proposal reflects a practical and considered funding approach, including the proposed use of an international visitor entry charge.
"Visitor contributions are common in museums nationally and internationally, and this approach will support the long-term sustainability of the museum.
"Our focus now is on continuing to work constructively with our partners, including central Government, to develop the remaining components of the funding package and ensure the project can be delivered as planned.
"We are also very appreciative of the ongoing support from our contributing district authorities, Waimakariri District Council, Hurunui District Council and Selwyn District Council, who continue to stand behind the Museum and its future.”
Canterbury Museum Trust Board Toihau chairperson Tom Thomson said the council funding was a “strong vote of confidence in the redevelopment”.
"We particularly appreciate the Council’s ability to prioritise this project by using available surpluses. That speaks to both careful financial management and the value the city and the wider region place on the Museum. The project is well advanced, and this level of support reflects its importance to the region’s cultural, educational and economic future.
"We will continue to work closely with the Government and other partners to complete the funding package and ensure the redevelopment can proceed on a secure and sustainable footing."
The museum had previously secured funding to complete the new base-isolated basement and building, but only to the point that they are weatherproof and insurable. Work started on this stage of the project in October last year and is due to be completed in early 2028.
Funding for the redevelopment has come from the museum’s own funds ($63.4 million), private donations ($1.05 million), grants and Lotteries funding ($850,000), central government ($35 million) and local government ($118.2 million). This includes $24.5 million from the Christchurch City Council for the base isolation and strengthening of the Robert McDougall Gallery. The Museum has a long-term lease on the Council-owned building.
-With RNZ
