CBD owners call for greater urgency to rebuild

7:30 pm on 3 June 2011

Frustrated property owners are calling for greater urgency in the rebuilding of central Christchurch.

A newly formed group of about 180 business people has put together a submission to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority outlining their concerns.

The group - City Owners Rebuild Entity - says its members own most of the buildings in the badly damaged red zone and need to be consulted on how it will be rebuilt following the 22 February quake.

In its submission, the group calls for incentives to help bring back some of the hundreds of businesses which have left the city, such as a tax-free zone.

It is also demanding immediate access to the red zone so owners can start work on their properties.

Members of group say they cannot afford any further delays.

They say their loss-of-rent insurance cover will soon expire and once that happens they will have lost their income, assets and possibly even their desire to stay in Christchurch.