The Star: July 30, 2020

Thursday July 30 2020 The Star
• By Matt Slaughter
THE PROJECT to restore Christ
Church Cathedral will cost
more than previously thought.
In 2016, it was estimated it
would cost $104 million.
Additional enhancements to
bring the cathedral’s facilities
to higher standards than they
were before the 2011 earthquake
are needed and will increase the
cost.
The exact cost of the
restoration is not known yet but
will be at the end of this year.
Said a Christ Church
Cathedral Reinstatement Project
spokeswoman: “We can confirm
that the project will cost more
than the $104 million estimate.
“We are not just putting back
everything as it was.
“The reinstated cathedral
will look very similar to the
pre-quake cathedral, but most
importantly [be] stronger, with
base isolation, offering greater
comfort, and the ability to use
the space more flexibly for both
spiritual and civic functions.
“The cathedral, tower and
spire will look much the
same as they did pre-quake.
The tower will have a lift and
stairs, compliant with current
standards. The materials for the
spire will be determined as part
of a later design stage,” she said.
The project has about $100m
in funding from grants and
pledges, including from the city
council and Government.
Part of the cost of the
restoration will be covered by
donors from across the world
but the Covid-19 pandemic has
caused fundraising to take a hit.
One donor has pulled out as a
result.
“We are conscious that many
New Zealanders and people
abroad are financially impacted
by Covid-19 and our thoughts
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Cathedral cost blows out
are with them. We are working
with key supporters to help
ensure we navigate through
this period with sensitivity
and pragmatism,” said the
spokeswoman.
The fundraising campaign
is in its first phase, with
efforts focusing on building
relationships with those who
will donate potentially large
amounts.
Said the spokeswoman: “Then
comes the public phase of the
campaign where fundraising
becomes very visible and the
EXPENSIVE: The
project to restore
Christ Church
Cathedral will cost
more than the $104
million originally
estimated.
PHOTO:
GEOFF SLOAN ​
community is actively involved.
We aim to move to the public
phase next year.”
The current $11.8 million
construction phase is under
way and involves stabilising the
building. It will take up to two
years and is fully funded.
The next phase is strengthening
and reinstatement. Funding for
this will need to be in place by late
2021.
The next milestones for
fundraising are in mid-2022 for
the ancillary buildings and mid-
2023 for the tower.
NEWS 5
Police trial
drug test
device
• By Matt Slaughter
A HANDHELD device to test
for methamphetamine, MDMA
and cocaine will be trialled by
frontline police in Canterbury.
The trial will run for six-months
and also be carried out in the
Auckland and Central police
districts.
The real-time drug-screening
tool allows officers to test for
“the three most harmful and
commonly used drugs on the New
Zealand market” while “working
in our communities”, police said.
In 2018, 95 people were killed
in preventable crashes where the
driver was found to have drugs
in their system that could impair
driving.
In December, the Government
announced it would give police
new powers to conduct random
roadside drug testing and to prosecute
drugged drivers in a bid to
save lives on the road.
Meanwhile, throughout July,
Canterbury police have been
clamping down on drivers who
have been drinking, including
trialling ‘micro-checkpoints’,
which require as few as one police
car and officer to operate.
What’s your view on:
Commercial film or video
production facilities
in Christchurch
Let us know your views on the proposal to use section 71
of the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Act 2016
to make changes to the Canterbury Regional Policy
Statement and Christchurch District Plan to support the
development and operation of commercial film or video
production facilities in certain areas of Christchurch.
The Proposal, developed by Regenerate Christchurch,
has been submitted to the Associate Minister for Greater
Christchurch Regeneration who is seeking your views.
Anyone can make a written comment –
they must be received by 5pm Wednesday, 5 August 2020.
The proposal can be viewed and written comments made
online at: www.dpmc.govt.nz/film-studio
Also, the Proposal can be viewed and written comment
forms are available at Christchurch City Council service
centres and libraries, and the main office of Selwyn and
Waimakariri District Councils during normal business hours.
Your 2020 team in Christchurch
Gerry Brownlee for Ilam
Matt Doocey for Waimakariri
Dale Stephens for Christchurch Central
Catherine Chu for Banks Peninsula
Nicola Grigg for Selwyn
Lincoln Platt for Christchurch East
Hamish Campbell for Wigram
DPMC1507CS
Authorised by G. Hamilton, 41 Pipitea Street, Wellington.