Saturday, March 26, 2011

'Community input needed' in new Christchurch ministry

'Community input needed' in new Christchurch ministry

Updated at 12:31pm on 21 March 2011

Opposition parties are warning the community needs to have input, as the Government is poised to set up a new department to control the rebuilding of Christchurch.

Prime Minister John Key has confirmed setting up the new department is a possibility.

Sources say the Ministry for Christchurch Earthquake Recovery will be responsible to the Minister, Gerry Brownlee.

If the Government decides to go ahead with the plan, the department is likely to be staffed by officials seconded from other departments and ministries already involved in the reconstruction effort, as well as contracting new staff to help with the task.

Labour's spokesperson on the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery, Clayton Cosgrove, says any new ministry can't run roughshod over local people.

The Green Party's Kennedy Graham says the ministry should be be set up with real care and face parliamentary scrutiny.

Christchurch mayor Bob Parker says it is inevitable some kind of new Government agency will need to be set up to help with the rebuilding of the city, but says it's crucial the Government works closely with the city council.

City councillor Yani Johanson says the council and local community need to play a central role in the rebuilding effort.

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