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Rubble to help Lyttelton port repairs
By Paul Harper
10:00 AM Wednesday May 25, 2011
The Government is to fast-track the 10-hectare reclamation of Lyttelton's Port to assist with Christchurch's economic recovery.
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee announced the decision today.
"Around 42,000 tonnes of earthquake rubble was deposited on the site of the reclamation during the civil emergency phase of the earthquake recovery authorised by the National Controller.
"This consent will enable approximately one million tonnes of rubble to be used for the reclamation."
The port lost 30 per cent of its operational space due to the February quake and 14 hectares of container terminal will need to be repaired at least twice over the next three to five years due to ongoing settlement caused by the earthquakes.
Dr Smith said the decision to fast-track the project was influenced by a recent visit to the Japanese city of Kobe, which was devastated by an earthquake in 1995.
"Their disaster recovery team advised me that pre-earthquake Kobe was Japan's eighth largest port but the city lost so much trade in the aftermath that it fell to 30th and 15 years later had still not recovered.
"This loss of trade had significantly hampered Kobe's economic recovery. Their advice was that we should take every practical step in Christchurch to retain Lyttelton's port trade."
By Paul Harper
10:00 AM Wednesday May 25, 2011
The Government is to fast-track the 10-hectare reclamation of Lyttelton's Port to assist with Christchurch's economic recovery.
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee announced the decision today.
"Around 42,000 tonnes of earthquake rubble was deposited on the site of the reclamation during the civil emergency phase of the earthquake recovery authorised by the National Controller.
"This consent will enable approximately one million tonnes of rubble to be used for the reclamation."
The port lost 30 per cent of its operational space due to the February quake and 14 hectares of container terminal will need to be repaired at least twice over the next three to five years due to ongoing settlement caused by the earthquakes.
Dr Smith said the decision to fast-track the project was influenced by a recent visit to the Japanese city of Kobe, which was devastated by an earthquake in 1995.
"Their disaster recovery team advised me that pre-earthquake Kobe was Japan's eighth largest port but the city lost so much trade in the aftermath that it fell to 30th and 15 years later had still not recovered.
"This loss of trade had significantly hampered Kobe's economic recovery. Their advice was that we should take every practical step in Christchurch to retain Lyttelton's port trade."
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