Norman Russel William: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Norman Russel William: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:666;Page:13770] 
5. 
Dr RUSSEL NORMAN (Co-Leader—Green) 
 to the  
Prime Minister 
: How will the Government ensure community involvement in decisions around the rebuilding of Christchurch? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) 
: 
 The Government has been closely involved with local authorities in Christchurch right from the beginning of this tragedy. We intend to continue to work closely with local government and the community to ensure that Christchurch and the surrounding areas are rebuilt reflecting the wishes and concerns of Cantabrians. I think it is important to point out that this will be a locally led process. We will not be imposing a central government - driven vision on Christchurch. 
Dr Russel Norman 
: Will the Government consider supporting a panel of representatives that would encompass the community local government business planning architecture and heritage sectors to plan a way forward for the rebuilding of Christchurch? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: I think it is too early to make those comments. At the moment we are dealing with the immediate after-effects of the earthquake. I can say that the Government is considering the option of putting in an earthquake commissioner who would be responsible for the rebuild and recovery phase. It may be an option that we want to consider. All I can say having been there on Saturday last night and today is that there is an enormous amount of goodwill from all participants to try and take this process forward constructively and in the best long-terms interests of Christchurch. If the member wants to suggest some people they may or may not form part of the mix. 
Dr Russel Norman 
: Can the Prime Minister give us some sense of what the powers of the commissioner would be that the Government is proposing? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: It would be too early for us to comment on that. Our primary focus at the moment as I said outside of providing emergency services for people in terms of welfare relief and trauma counselling as well as getting immediate infrastructure services reconnected is to start looking at how we can expedite the rebuilding of people’s homes in Christchurch. That is our primary focus at this stage. There is a meeting taking place this afternoon with relevant players that may shed some light on whether any changes need to be made to the law to help that process take place or whether it can happen with the existing legislative framework. 
Dr Russel Norman 
: Can his Government allay the concerns expressed on  
Close Up 
 by Peter Beaven a Canterbury architect who was concerned that some buildings could be needlessly torn down destroying Christchurch’s heritage and changing some of the unique character of Christchurch? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: The advice I have is that the decision to demolish buildings is a local decision based solely on public safety. That is the primary reason a building would be destroyed. We cannot override that. This morning I visited amongst other sites St John’s Church at Hororata. Clearly in the case of buildings like that one with a strong historical significance for the people of Canterbury it would be wonderful to save them if it was possible. But the first and primary concern has to be for the public safety of those who might go into those buildings.