By: Mike Yardley | Saturday, April 21, 2012 10:51 AM

Thanks for doing the talking, but we will do the walking.

That is perhaps the most succinct way of encapsulating the power dynamics behind the Earthquake Recovery Minister’s treatment of the city council’s central city plan. As much as all of the city leaders have been accentuating the “spirit of partnership” mantra, the bottom line is that CERA has ultimate responsibility for the implementation of the central city rebuild.

It is richly poetic that Warwick Issacs, the man who has overseen the demolition of hundreds of buildings, is now charged with leading the brave new era of mass-construction. Issacs has been showered with accolades from the business community, who clearly his admire his pragmatic, can-do instincts. They trust him to punch through  bureaucracy’s brick walls and get the job done. Every significant business leader I’ve spoken to simply don’t trust the  council to ensure building consents are issued within 14 days.

Interestingly, the council will remain the consenting authority, although Gerry Brownlee has vowed to hold their feet to the fire to ensure they comply with the 14 day turnaround. What will this new Christchurch Central Development Unit do, that the city council can’t? Brownlee argues the council has a myriad of challenges to manage across the city, and a dedicated agency, within CERA,  solely-focused on the central city will drive momentum.  So how much power-sharing will there really be? Brownlee is happy for the council to undertake public consultation on major facilities, like the Convention Centre, through the annual plan process. However, the delivery of  anchor projects like the Convention Centre will rest with the unit led by Warwick Issacs – not the council. Make no mistake, Gerry, Roger and Warwick are the biggest boys in town.  CERA is boss. CERA will know best.  

Backlash.

The Anglican Church is understandably keen to move on from the muck and mire of the Cathedral demolition decision.

This week’s big reveal on the Cardboard Cathedral has been favourably received. The transitional cathedral looks pleasant enough, and will no doubt be a useful performance venue, in addition to its primary purpose as a place of worship.  However, the immediate request from the Anglican Church for the ratepayer to stump up an annual grant of $240,000 went down like a cup of cold vomit.

The fast and furious backlash underscores the badly bruised, estranged relationship the church now has with the local community, due to its abysmal mishandling of the Cathedral. Meanwhile, world-acclaimed earthquake engineering expert, Kit Miyamoto, was in my radio studio this week.  The save- the-Cathedral  crusader has now been backed by over 100 earthquake engineers who believe the city’s defining symbol can be affordably saved, strengthened and restored. Is this show over?

Photo: NZ Herald

- As published in The Press on April 21 2012 -