The Christchurch City Council has released a “dirty 30” list of derelict properties that are holding up the central city rebuild, a quarter of which face delays due to insurance disputes and complications.
The list includes many high profile buildings such as the Christchurch Cathedral and the Old Post Office Building.
In response to public frustration over the lack of rebuild progress, the council sent out warning letters last week, offering property owners guidance and listing enforcement options in case of inaction.
The council has endorsed a three-step “war plan” for dealing with owners who were “kicking the city in the face” by leaving their property derelict, but later softened its stance by conceding that a quarter of those listed face delays due to insurance disputes and complications, Fairfax Media reported.
The approach involves the council offering owners assistance with developments plans; followed by applying pressure by charging for traffic management and cordons over public land; and finally, the threat of enforcement, including forced acquisition by the Crown under rebuild laws, the report said.
The list has caught the ire of some owners whose heritage buildings were listed - some have called for their properties to be taken off the list.
Among them was Bernie de Vere, corporate manager of Ceres New Zealand, owner of the listed Peterborough Centre at 25 Peterborough St and Victoria Mansions at 91 Victoria St, for which restoration was delayed by insurance issues, Fairfax reported.
“We feel we’re personally being targeted as a poor corporate citizen that is dragging its heels and that’s just not right,” de Vere told Fairfax.
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