Support for Development Authority to fast track rebuild

Christchurch City Council today agreed in principle to set up a Development Authority to speed up the rebuild and help attract private sector funding for major projects.

Councillors today asked Chief Executive Dr Karleen Edwards to provide urgent advice by the end of January on a structure for the authority. She will take into account the work already done by other Crown agencies and look at other issues such as governance, its mandate and costs.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel says this will complement the work being done within Council to streamline our own procurement processes.

She says the Development Authority could act as a one-stop-shop for investors and developers, linking them with potential projects and assisting them through the consenting process. It could also provide expert commercial advice on unsolicited proposals.

“Development Authorities have worked successfully overseas in places like London, New York and Perth, and I am really excited by the possibilities an agency like this offers Christchurch. It has the potential to boost business confidence in the rebuild by fast tracking work on community facilities, anchor projects and other major commercial developments in both the Central City and suburban areas,” says the Mayor.

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