29 July, 2014
Online tool enhances Canterbury rebuild
The Forward Works Viewer tool developed to support and accelerate the rebuild of Canterbury has exceeded all
expectations by generating more than $4 million in cost-savings – a figure that is set to grow to more than $20 million
in coming years.
The Viewer gives recovery agencies, public and private sector users a shared online view of horizontal infrastructure
repair, planned buildings, and other construction.
“The Viewer is a great example of how location information can benefit the people of Canterbury in real terms,” said
LINZ CE Peter Mersi.
“Since its launch in 2013, it has proven to be invaluable – enabling better coordination and planning of work, and
helping rebuild agencies avoid costs caused by unforeseen variations and programme delays.
“The more data in the system, the greater ability everyone has to plan ahead and coordinate activities. The Viewer will
go from strength to strength, especially as private companies share more of their information – resulting in further
benefits to the Canterbury rebuild.”
The Viewer was developed in partnership between the agencies coordinating the Canterbury rebuild: LINZ, the Stronger
Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT), Christchurch City Council (CCC), Christchurch Transport Operations
Centre (CTOC), the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), and the Christchurch Central Development Unit (CCDU)
– a part of CERA.
“The Forward Works Viewer is a very important tool in the delivery of the various projects in central Christchurch,”
says CCDU director Warwick Isaacs.
“By ensuring the work on the ground by the public and private sectors is co-ordinated, we are able to avoid delays that
could end up costing the taxpayer or developers, and that’s good for the whole recovery.”
A short video illustrates ways the Viewer is being used to maximise the pace and efficiency of the rebuild programme. Public and
private programme planners can request private access to the Forward Works Viewer here.
ENDS