Certain areas of Christchurch have suffered extensive land subsidence and liquefaction after each of the three major earthquakes since September 2010. While many people have moved out of these suburbs, others are still living there. Portaloos, crooked houses and ravaged streets are part of life for these residents.
New Zealand Government to Buyout Earthquake-Damaged Areas of Christchurch
New Zealand Prime minister John Key made an announcement on television on June 23rd informing the people of Christchurch what would be happening with the most damaged land and homes in the city. 5100 homes fall into this bracket, most of them situated on land that borders the Avon River. This land has been subject to extensive liquefaction which swamped gardens, bubbled up through floors, ruined homes and caused foundations to shift.
The government has made an offer to purchase the affected properties at rateable values set in 2007. The housing market has declined in years subsequent to this so it is considered a fair offer. Alternatively, people who have made improvements to their homes since 2007 can ask the government to pay them out for the land only and then recover the value of their home from their insurance company.
Christchurch Divided into Color Zones According to Earthquake Damage
On June 23rd, the New Zealand government released a map of Christchurch that showed the level of earthquake damage across the city. The map is color-coded with the red zone being severely damaged. It is uneconomic to repair land in this area. Homes in the orange zone have also been subject to liquefaction and further assessment is required before a decision can be made. In the green zone, repairs and rebuilding can commence immediately. The white zone includes the CBD and hill suburbs and mapping of these areas is still in progress.
The Response of Residents in the Red-Zoned Areas
There has been a mixed reaction from residents in the areas that are to be abandoned. Bexley, Avondale, Dallington and Avonside are the most affected suburbs and some residents have been waiting since the September earthquake for a decision to be made. The response has been emotional with feelings ranging from relief, to sorrow, to optimism to anger. There is a strong community spirit in these suburbs and in many cases this has been strengthened by the trauma of the past nine months.
As news of the government’s decision settles into the minds of Christchurch residents, one thing has become apparent. With a deadline of nine months for the damaged homes to be vacated and an estimated total payout of up to NZ$635 million, the slumped housing market in Christchurch is about to undergo a radical change.
Debbie Roome - Debbie Roome is an award-winning freelance writer, journalist and novelist with over 25 years experience.
