10 September 2013

Mixed feelings for some public servants about return to central city

There will be mixed feelings from public servants in Christchurch about the prospect of moving back into the central city, according to the Public Service Association.

The government has announced that 1700 government employees will move into central Christchurch in 2016 as part of the city’s earthquake recovery.

“There is no doubt the rationale behind the move is a positive one in terms of helping Christchurch to move forward and rebuild,” says PSA National Secretary Brenda Pilott.

“The idea of having the bulk of government departments operating out of one central precinct makes a lot of sense. It will help foster a sense of public sector unity and also actively support the recovery of Christchurch’s CBD.”

She says there will be a degree of anxiety from some public servants about returning to the central city after the quake.

“The government officials handling the project have been keeping the PSA informed and are aware of the need to handle the transition with a high degree of sensitivity and assurances around health and safety.”

“There is still a lot more detail that we will want to see around the types of buildings being proposed, along with the size of workspaces. We expect to work closely with government departments both individually and collectively to have input into that design phase,” Brenda Pilott says.

ENDS

© Scoop Media