CDHB Consumer Council: Nominations

CDHB Consumer Council: – nominations are now open for anyone of these key areas: – 

Bare bums to highlight suburb's 'neglect'

New Brighton residents are preparing to bare their bums to highlight a collective feeling of post-quake neglect.

How technology makes disaster response fast (this one is shorter – Day 5)

The thing about disasters is that people want to help. In a city of 25 million people (or thereabouts), that’s a lot of help. Some of this help is from people who own businesses – big ones.

Speedy demolition this weekend

This weekend will see a unique quick-fire demolition of the eight-storey URS House on the corner of Gloucester and Durham Streets.

Whites Road, Ohoka

Technical Reports - Peer Review - Canterbury Earthquake Sequence and Implications for Seismic Design Levels

The Commission received the following advice from Professor Ralph Archuleta of the University of California, Santa Barbara. The paper reviews the technical report by GNS Science.

Technical Reports - Base Isolation and Damage-Resistant Technologies for Improved Seismic Performance of Buildings

The Commission sought the advice of Professor Andrew Buchanan, Holcim Adjunct Professor Des Bull, Associate Professor Rajesh Dhakal, Associate Professor Greg MacRae, Dr Alessandro Palermo and Associate Professor Stefano Pampanin from the University of Canterbury on new technologies to improve seismic performance of buildings.

Technical Report - Stairs and Access Ramps Between Floors in Multi-storey Buildings

This report, which was written by Des Bull of Holmes Consulting Group, indicates that in light of the damage sustained to stairs and access ramps in the Christchurch earthquakes a review was needed into the way these items are designed.  It is clear that inadequate allowance has been made in the past for the relative movement that occurs between floors in a major earthquake. 

Technical Report - Structural Design For Earthquake Resistance Past, Present and Future

The Commission received a report written by Associate Professor Rajesh Dhakal of the University of Canterbury. The report, which was offered to the Commission, provided an indepth discussion of the way in which the current approach to seismic design has developed, and how this may change in the future.

Brighton bum baring protest aimed at council

A protest called Bare Your Bum for Brighton has been organised by a fed-up Christchurch businessman who says the city council has neglected the beachside suburb for too long.

Brownlee 'rides roughshod' over city heritage

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee is refusing to place a moratorium on the demolition of Christchurch's quake-damaged heritage buildings.

New Regent St aims for relaunch in February

It may be two years since it was forcibly closed for business, but one of Christchurch's most picturesque streets will soon reopen.

Dig shows another quake was on fault

Evidence of a second major Greendale Fault earthquake some time in the last 10,000 to 15,000 years has been uncovered in a deep trench on the Canterbury Plains.

EQC work in progress update

EQC have updated their Progress and Updates page with information on: 

International hub seeks market stall owners

Exit Show

[THESIS 2012] For a preview of the thesis student’s final exhibition, titled the Exit Show, check out Biran’s slick youtube video! VIEW VIDEO

Church groups commit to building new cathedral

The Anglican Church in Christchurch has today revealed a formal commitment to build a new cathedral in Cathedral Square.

'We will build a new cathedral'

The Christ Church Cathedral's owners have made a formal commitment to build a church in Cathedral Square.

Day 636 - big trailer arrives

Global opportunity to find solutions for Christchurch

The inclusion of Christchurch in a global solution-finding competition will ensure the very best minds in the world contribute to regeneration of the city, says Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority chief executive Roger Sutton.  

CCDU moves to buy land

The CCDU has identified properties in the city it needs to remove to start implementing its central city blueprint.

Land Use Recovery Plan

A Land Use Recovery Plan is to be prepared by Environment Canterbury, working with Christchurch City Council, Selwyn District Council, Waimakariri District Council, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, NZ Transport Agency and CERA.

Photos of empty Marmite jars auctioned for charity

Photos of empty Marmite jars donated by celebrities will be auctioned off to help rebuild Christchurch.

Birth rate drops dramatically in Christchurch's eastern suburbs

Birth rates have dropped as much as 24 percent in some quake-hit suburbs of Christchurch, according to new figures released today.

SILVER LINING TO MARMITE SCARCITY FOR PROJECT CHRISTMAS

The Rebuild Christchurch Foundation has found a novel way to raise funds this Christmas, through auctioning photographs of empty Marmite jars donated by New Zealand celebrities including Rachel Hunter, Sir Graham Henry, Jaquie Brown and Trelise Cooper.

Rates bill unfair for red-zoners

A young Dallington family facing financial ruin say it is unfair to be charged full rates on their red-zoned home when their neighbourhood is broken and neglected.

Birth rate drops in quake-hit east

Birth rates have dropped in Christchurch's quake-hit eastern suburbs, new figures show.

Birthrate drops in quake-hit east

Birthrates have dropped in Christchurch's quake-hit eastern suburbs, new figures show.

Hundreds of ideas entered to transform Christchurch city

The ultimate gamer’s paradise, a student discount grocery and a giant roller-skating rink are just a few of the more than 300 Big Ideas submitted by Christchurch youth to the Big Idea website and collection points since the campaign launched on Oct 27.

Brownlee won't halt heritage demolitions

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee is refusing to place a moratorium on the demolition of Christchurch's quake-damaged heritage buildings.

Govt begins ChCh land purchases

The Govt has taken the first step in forcing some Christchurch landowners to hand over their land for the rebuild.

A snapshot of where we’re at, rather than what we’re doing (Day 4)

Well it’s been a busy couple of days. After one day on our feet meeting people, helping with random tasks that arose, figuring out who’s who and how things work on the ground, we were thrown right into the mix helping oversee the distribution of 25,000 heat packs and 90 boxes of Thermals. Always looks [...]

Kennetts Jewellers new home after 131 years

Bailies Irish Bar relocates to Edgeware Village

Things are looking up for the Edgeware Village.

Blue line bus will run through St Albans

It looks like the new Blue Line Orbiter-style bus service linking Belfast and Princess Margaret Hospital will run through Merivale and St Albans and other suburbs starting on December 3.

Changes to city bus routes

The new Blue Line Orbiter-style bus service linking Rangiora and Princess Margaret Hospital via Papanui and Merivale starts running on December 3. The bus service, which will run every 15 minutes, is part of Metro’s rebuild focus on connecting suburban …

Abandoned house demolished to deter activity

An abandoned building at the corner of Purchas Street and Bishop Street has been demolished by CERA.

Abberley Park paddling pool reopens

Abberley Park’s quake damaged paddling pool has been repaired and was opened at the weekend for the summer season, which should put smiles of the faces of families with toddlers. Now if the weather would just play nice.

Govt fires warning shot to owners

The owners of more than 100 Christchurch properties have received the first clear signal of the Government's plans to force through the acquisition of their land.

Are insurers trying to shift costs to EQC and elsewhere?

In the most recent EQC Annual Report (here), EQC Chairman Michael Wintringham stated on page 4 that there was an incentive for insurance companies to minimise their own costs by attempting to pass them on to EQC or elsewhere. In this environment, there is an incentive for insurers to reduce their own liabilities by shifting costs to the Crown or to other parties. It would not have been out of

Day 635 - co-op over Christmas

The Christchurch South Fruit & Veggie Co-op (CSFVC) will be taking a break over Christmas.

Setting a new direction for Chch public transport

Getting people out of their cars and back onto buses is one of the aims behind the change to the Christchurch Metro network.

Technical Report - Preliminary Observations from Christchurch Earthquakes

Technical Report - Peer Review - The Performance of Unreinforced Masonry Buildings in the 2010-2011 Canterbury Earthquake Swarm

EQC guidelines on vulnerability

Students' behaviour worsens after school shake-up

The stress of the Government’s Canterbury schools shake up is becoming apparent in the behaviour of students, says one principal.

One in three firms will hire staff

One in three Christchurch firms intend hiring more staff in the next year and remain optimistic despite battling council red tape and insurance woes, says a new survey.

Insurance brokers under scrutiny

Fewer businesses but more workers

The number of businesses in Christchurch dropped by fewer than 1000 in the year after the February 2011 earthquake and employee numbers rose, government figures show.

Smart signs will guide city travellers

New and smart technologies will be used to help guide locals and visitors around Christchurch's new central business district.

Loss Adjusters make fun of serious issue

A dead rat, loss of sleep and a pen crushed by a television are among the insurance "claims" made following Christchurch's earthquakes.

Plea for cyclists in CBD plan

Cycling and car advocates say new transport plans for central Christchurch need to provide more for cyclists.

Plea for cyclists in CBD plan

Cycling and car advocates say new transport plans for central Christchurch need to provide more for cyclists.

Christchurch the accessible city

Great to see the draft transport plan for Christchurch has been released 

Christchurch Innovation Recognised in IBM Smarter Cities Challenge

A Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC) initiative designed to record the innovation being used in the city’s earthquake rebuild and make it available for use on other projects has been named as a winner in the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge for 2013.

Day 634 - Xero accounting system fully operational

80 hours have been spent by Mike Peters over the last 6 weeks manually entering every single financial transaction, receipt and deposit into Addington Action's on-line accounting system at .

Addington Action member Christine Blance, who has taught accounting at Lincoln, and the folks at Christchurch Community Accounting helped a great deal with advice and little tweaks.

The accounting system is now fully up to date with no errors and will be updated daily as money comes in or is s ...

CCDU- what are you doing???

Locked out of undamaged factory for 635 days 

Day 1 Ends (the first of what we think will be 3 endings to today)

Tiredness mixed with itchy woollen headwear leads to a great face and head rub. Makes for great thinking time! After a surprisingly great first sleep in our RV home, we have managed to achieve a lot in our first day at St Francis De Sales – the ‘base’ in the thick of it all.

Crunch time for central city blueprint

Nov 16: Prince Charles and Camilla try out the Dance-O-Mat!

Can you believe it? We’re thinking of calling it THE ROYAL DANCE-O-MAT! Prince Charles and Camilla visited the Dance-O-Mat yesterday. Sam Johnson from the Student Volunteer Army brought Camilla over to the floor to have a dance and then brought her to the wonderful washing machine at the heart of the Dance-O-Mat. That’s where Coralie [...]