Graham Kennedy: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Graham Kennedy: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 11 August 2011. Volume:674;Page:20559. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
9. 
Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM (Green) 
 to the  
Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery 
: Does he agree that an appropriate part of the “red zone” area along the Avon River through Christchurch should be transformed into a “green space” for memorial and recreational public purposes? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery) 
on behalf of the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery: At this stage we are concentrating on getting the offers of purchase out to people in the worst affected suburbs in the residential red zone. It is too early at this point to determine how that land might be remediated although I congratulate the member and his team on at least putting together one proposal about what might happen. That is a lot more than some people have done. 
Dr Kennedy Graham 
: I thank the Minister for his comments. Does he agree with the recommendation in the Green Party’s  
The Future of Christchurch 
 report that the land might remain in public ownership in perpetuity? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: No. I will not be drawn on whether I agree with any of the Greens’ proposals or anybody else’s proposals at this point. I think there is a long way to go before a distilled view of where Christchurch will go emerges and I certainly do not want to get caught on something too soon. 
Dr Kennedy Graham 
: Might he none the less agree in principle that such a zone could formally be called the Avon River Memorial Park and that a suitable memorial of some kind could be erected to honour those who died in February? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: Whether or not suggestions like that have merit it would be foolish for me to make a judgment call at this time. I am prepared to wait until all of the information is in and a proper process to make those decisions is undergone. 
Dr Kennedy Graham 
: I seek leave to table the Green Party’s report  
The Future of Christchurch: Report for a 21st century eco-city 
 which reflects the ideas generated from the public forums I have held in Christchurch over the past few months. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House. 
Hon Lianne Dalziel 
: What is the reason he is saying that red zoned land may be used for residential development in the future when this is holding people back from their recovery from the trauma of the earthquake and their displacement from their family home? 
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON 
: I am not sure that it is holding people back. I am advised that to date we have had just under 4000 consent forms returned to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority from those people living in the red zone with regard to the offer to buy their property. Can I say that there are still huge questions to be answered about the future of some of the land. Question time in Parliament before the proper work is done is not the appropriate place to answer those questions. 
Hon Lianne Dalziel 
: I seek leave to table a copy of the letter that came with the consent form that makes it clear that the form has to be returned by 31 July or the offer will not be coming in mid-August. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.