Most Cantabrians expected to leave

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 3:09p.m.

Tomorrow is the day many Christchurch residents will find out their fate, and it’s expected the majority will leave the shaking city.

The Government will announce suburbs which are to be written off following the three major earthquakes over the past year.

Home owners will be compensated for their loss, and Christchurch mayor Bob Parker says most residents will probably take up the offer.

Opposition MPs in Christchurch will be briefed on the plans tomorrow morning, while some of those affected residents will be given notification on their future today.

“This is the next step in the Government’s commitment to providing timely and accurate information to the people of greater Christchurch,” says Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.

A website and call centre are being set up for residents to find out the status of their homes, and community meetings will be held over the remainder of the week.

“The earthquakes are an ongoing major event but the Government is committed to getting things right for the people of Canterbury,” Mr Brownlee says.

“We’re moving as quickly as we can to give some certainty to those affected.”

3 News