This is disaster capitalism.
Who
ever told Mr Brownlee that the assets were savings 'for a rainy day'.
I'm sure our ancestors would confirm that these investments
were made for coming generations
Brownlee
admits he received advice on Christchurch asset sales
The
Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister has been forced to concede he
has received official advice on Christchurch City Council selling
some of its assets to help pay for rebuilding the city.
1
August, 2012
Gerry
Brownlee has also indicated he supports the idea of selling the
assets, saying the council has built up a strong set of books to
provide for a rainy day.
Mr
Brownlee initially skirted around a parliamentary question from Green
MP Eugenie Sage about whether he had received advice on the potential
sale of council assets.
But
after being forced to concede he had, he then went on to suggest
there would be discussions with the council about the matter.
The
Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce has said the council must
consider selling assets to bankroll the rebuilding of the city
centre.
Chief
executive Peter Townsend says a blueprint for the rebuild released on
Monday contains critical pieces of infrastructure vital to the
quake-hit city's recovery.
They
include a convention centre, a covered sports stadium and precincts
for arts, health and justice, but the Government has not yet revealed
the full cost of building those items.
Mr
Townsend says the Government has already channelled $12 billion -
comprising $7 billion from EQC and $5 billion Government funding -
into the rebuild.
He
says the private sector and local government must now consider all
options to pay for the construction of long-term infrastructure.
City
councillor Yani Johanson says it is likely ratepayers will foot much
of the bill to rebuild the city centre.
Mr
Johanson is calling for the Government to release the full cost of
the new blueprint.
He
told Nine to Noon the Government has indicated the council and
private sector are expected to pay for the facilities, which include
a new convention centre and sports stadium.
The
council increased rates by 7.8% after the earthquakes. Mr Johanson
says that without seeing the rebuilding price tag, the council is
flying blind.
He
says it is ironic the Government is telling councils around the
country to tighten their belts while at the same time encouraging
Christchurch City Council to spend up large.
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