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Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee launches the Christchurch rebuild - Source: ONE News -
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The prompt passing of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery legislation through Parliament this week demonstrates that at the highest levels of governance, the recovery process is now starting to gain some much needed momentum.
The Bill - passed under urgency and fiercely debated over the last three days - gives considerable powers to the government and in particular the Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.
These include the right to demolish buildings in commercial and residential areas without the owner's permission, while existing planning regulations and council by-laws can also be overridden.
Given this, it is entirely reasonable that commentators and politicians have expressed concern and nervousness about the legislation, with some likening the powers to that of a war cabinet.
However I wonder if the concerns have been heightened slightly by the simple fact that, rightly or wrongly, it is Gerry Brownlee in charge and not someone else.
In the days after the February quake he upset some in Christchurch (to be fair some actually welcomed his comments too) with suggestions that old buildings had killed people and old the dungers should be bowled down.
There was a feeling that he was throwing his weight around too much in the early days.
Checks and balances
However there are checks and balances in the legislation, with regular reporting to Parliament required and every decision subject to judicial review.
Brownlee too, given the comments he has made, can expect a hell of a lot of extra scrutiny from the media and local politicians.
Any overstepping of the mark and there will be a huge outcry, that's for sure.
Not something the government will be wanting in the lead up to the election. Its handling of the rebuild will be closely watched by many voters, with mistakes likely to be punished.
But if things are moving fast at a high level in Wellington, for some on the ground dealing with EQC claims it can at times feel like nothing is happening at all.
Now I don't want to generalise here and I'm sure EQC is doing the best they can. They have an enormous task.
However if the experience of people I know in Christchurch is anything to go by, I can see why some people are getting a little stressed by the slow pace of assessments.
Fix up
I know of people who for weeks now have been trying to get a full
EQC assessment so they can get on and fix up their place for the
coming winter. It's full of cracks and holes.
The insurance company has been great and given them the all clear to fix the roof and doors.
However nothing can happen without EQC approval.
The last I heard an official was due to visit on Friday, but only it seems after persistent follow-up phone calls.
The point here is that the people concerned have the time, determination and understanding to get their situation sorted out.
They don't give up easily.
In fact they have been basically treating the whole claims process like it is a part time job.
For some, particularly elderly people living in Christchurch, dealing with EQC and insurances company officials will be a time consuming and daunting process, which they may not be quite so well prepared for.
What do you think about how things have been dealt with? Have your say on the messageboard below.
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Post new commentleistrella said on 2011-04-15 @ 17:02 NZDT: Report abusive post
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leistrella said on 2011-04-15 @ 17:01 NZDT: Report abusive post
I agree with Gerry Brownlee - the old buildings should go!! What is more imporant - heritage buildings or people's lives? They were far too slow to act after the September quake - let's move on - pull down the old buildings and build a new city!!