Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the Government is unwilling to tolerate undue delays over resource consents for new Christchurch subdivisions.
Mr Brownlee says local authorities cannot afford to have a business-as-usual approach to consenting subdivisions.
Owners of more than 3500 of the 5000 properties in the worst quake-damaged residential red zone have shown interest in the Government's offer to buy their properties.
Mr Brownlee says they will need to know within the next year that there will be a new subdivision that suits them to move to.
However he says no new subdivisions have been granted consent in Christchurch for some time.
The future development of greater Christchurch is outlined in a document that involves Christchurch City Council, the Selwyn and Waimakariri District Councils, Canterbury Regional Council and Christchurch Motorways.
Mr Brownlee says his warning applies to all those organisations.
