9 Apr 2018

Head of Christchurch rebuild organisation steps down

7:29 pm on 9 April 2018

The chief executive of the Christchurch rebuild organisation, Ōtākaro Limited, is to step down.

Ōtākaro chief executive Albert Brantley

Ōtākaro chief executive Albert Brantley Photo: Supplied

Albert Brantley was the inaugural chief executive of Ōtākaro after it took over delivering anchor projects from the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority in 2016.

He said he felt positive about what has been achieved, but there have been some frustrations.

It was a good time to leave the organisation as projects like the Convention Centre are well underway, he said.

Chairman Ross Butler said he was disappointed to lose such a strong leader.

Mr Butler said the excellent progress with the Christchurch Convention Centre, the completion of the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial, Victoria Square, and other projects was testimony to Mr Brantley's skills.

Mr Brantley finishes up with Ōtākaro in June.

Ōtākaro has been working on key projects which came out of the previous government's Blueprint Plan for earthquake recovery in Christchurch, in 2012.

The initial plan intended projects such as the Metro Sport Facility and the Convention Centre to be completed by 2016 and 2017 respectively. Completion for the latter is now not expected until 2020, while work on the Metro Sports Facility is on hold until a report is underway for the Minister for Greater Regeneration, Megan Woods, about options for the centre.