Homeowners Overturn Red Sticker Its Decision to Award a Was Sent to the Media Late Recommendations
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Council’s review ‘no solution’ Sam Sachdeva Parker, who recently [email protected] expressed concerns that the Government could step in and An $80,000 review of comm- appoint commissioners at the unication issues at the be- council, said the review had leaguered Christchurch City nothing to do with the threat Council will not solve of intervention. problems with the council’s ‘‘We’re not doing this for decision-making process, city the Government, we’re doing councillor Yani Johanson this for us: it’s not in response says. to any pressure or the belief Mayor Bob Parker said the that we have to do this or we independent review was won’t be here.’’ needed to restore public Marryatt said the council confidence in the troubled had planned to undertake a organisation, but denied it communications review in Colour change: Linda Pringle, left, and Nigel Jamieson have regained unlimited access to their previously red-stickered Lyttelton home. Photo: STACY SQUIRES/FAIRFAX NZ was intended to head off 2010, but it had been delayed Government intervention. due to the city’s earthquakes. The council has come As part of the review, Price under fire in recent months Felicity Price would speak to councillors following a string of public and community representa- blunders. minutes before a statement tives before preparing a list of Homeowners overturn red sticker Its decision to award a was sent to the media late recommendations. $68,000 pay increase to contro- yesterday afternoon. A public survey of rate- Marc Greenhill wall behind their house was to her home was the ‘‘biggest INSIDE determined I became to versial council chief execu- He said the review was payers could also be conduc- [email protected] damaged, but they believed it relief’’. ❯❯ overcome that.’’ tive Tony Marryatt has unlikely to resolve concerns ted, Marryatt said. posed no danger. She had been prepared to EQC delays A7 In July, Civil Defence attracted widespread criti- about the council’s decision- The review was expected A Lyttelton couple have The couple moved back to fight the notice in court but ❯❯ Payout cut A11 transitional operations cism, with a protest planned making processes. to take three months and become the first to success- their house in October to felt the tide turned in their ❯❯ manager Ross Herrett said in at the civic offices next ‘‘People are quite unhappy would be released to the fully fight eviction from their preserve the remaining favour last month when the Demolitions A15 an email the retaining-wall month. with the way things are being public as soon as it was given red-stickered home. accommodation entitlement street was rezoned from white repair was likely to start in Other controversial moves done; it’s not just about to councillors. Linda Pringle and Nigel in their insurance claim. to green. out of anybody – so it was August and would take two to have included plans to communication,’’ he said. The review would be paid Jamieson were last month They were given until The support of other red- really useful to pool all that three months to complete. relocate the council call Parker told The Press the for using the council’s consul- among 27 Port Hills home- Wednesday to comply with stickered homeowners, their information and just know They were then told in centre to the North Island and council had organised the tancy budget. owners issued with notices to the notice or face fines of up to lawyer and Port Hills MP exactly what it was you were October that work would a reversal of a decision to not review to address growing Marryatt said he accepted fix – effectively an order to $200,000 or court action, but Ruth Dyson was crucial, fighting,’’ she said. begin before Christmas, but a pay all burial costs for concerns about the organis- criticism of his lack of immediately vacate the pro- the battle to overturn the red Pringle said. ‘‘I just felt we were right council spokeswoman said earthquake victims. ation’s performance. involvement in the com- perty – by the Christchurch sticker ended this week. ‘‘Everyone was getting and we had to keep going. The last month that design work Yesterday, Parker and ‘‘I think it’s very clear munity and would spend City Council. Pringle said yesterday such different information – more obstacles that were put was under way and work Marryatt announced the from what we’ve read in the more time talking to comm- A council-owned retaining regaining unrestricted access when they could wheedle it in our way, the more would start this year. council had commissioned an paper and heard in the media unity groups and stake- independent audit and review that there has been a loss of holders. of its communications pro- confidence in the council and ‘‘When I started here, I was cedures. the chief executive, and that’s given a very clear message The review, which is a very serious issue.’’ that they wanted me to focus expected to cost $80,000, will Parker believed the scale on getting the organisation’s be run by Court Theatre Trust of the recovery and the processes improved and run- Worker critical after Grand Chancellor fall chairwoman and communi- resulting pressure on council ning a bit better, and that’s cations consultant Felicity staff was responsible for some certainly where I put my Keith Lynch and Charley Mann Graham Darlow, Fletcher employees were in the build- A Canterbury District southern general manager Price. of its problems. focus . but now I need to get [email protected] Construction’s chief execu- ing at the time, and about 20 Health Board spokeswoman Jean Martin said health and Price has resigned from ‘‘We’re in a situation that out more often.’’ [email protected] tive for building, said the man subcontractors were also on said the man was in a critical safety inspectors visited the her job at public relations no council in New Zealand A spokesman for Local had had a ‘‘moderate fall’’. site. condition, which was scene yesterday. consultancy Carter Price Ren- has ever had to find itself in, Government Minister Nick A construction worker is in a Darlow suspected the man ‘‘A handful of people were ‘‘unlikely to change’’. ‘‘This is the first serious- nie to conduct the review. and I think the pressure is Smith said he would not critical condition after a fall hit his head. able to provide immediate Canterbury Earthquake harm injury reported to the The pair also said beginning to take its toll.’’ comment on the review as it on the top floor of the Hotel The company was investi- assistance’’ after the 8am Recovery Authority (Cera) department regarding earth- Marryatt would spend more The public perception that was an operational matter. Grand Chancellor in central gating the incident, but no accident, Darlow said. general manager of oper- quake recovery work in time ‘‘out and about’’ in the Marryatt had lost touch with Initial reaction on press- Christchurch. structural failure occurred. The workers who ations Warwick Isaacs said all Canterbury since September community to collect feed- the views of ratepayers was .co.nz was largely negative, The man, who is believed ‘‘It is not a collapse that witnessed the fall had been work on the hotel was on 4, 2010,’’ Martin said. back on the council’s perform- ‘‘fair comment’’ and needed to with some describing the to be in his 40s, sustained caused the fall,’’ he said. ‘‘We affected and counselling was hold. In March, roofer and ance. be addressed, he said. review as a ‘‘joke’’ and a serious injuries. put in a huge effort to make being provided. Darlow confirmed work father-of-five Matthew John Johanson, who chairs the ‘‘There’s never enough waste of money. He was taken to Christ- sure it was safe for people to The man, who has worked would not resume until ‘‘we Down, 55, was electrocuted council’s communications hours in the day for this man, church Hospital’s emergency enter. We are very, very for Fletchers in Christchurch make sure it is 100 per cent while fixing a leaky roof on a committee, said he was only but we want him to get out ❯❯ department from the site in disappointed this has hap- for six years, was in hospital safe’’. Clarkson Ave site in central informed of the review 20 into the community.’’ Marryatt’s pay A3 central-city red zone. pened.’’ Eight Fletcher last night. Department of Labour Christchurch. TO SUBSCRIBE PH 0800 THE PRESS AIR FREIGHT EXTRA 50¢.