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Rebuilding Chch the focus this year

CERA chief executive Roger Sutton says one year on from the big quake, people are getting much more impatient wanting to see things happen, especially around their houses

22 February 2012 Rebuilding properties will be the focus this year in Christchurch.

CERA chief executive Roger Sutton says one year on from the big quake, people are getting much more impatient wanting to see things happen, especially around their houses.

He says over the past year, the focus has been on the guys in the overalls fixing the roads and rescuing people.

"In many ways I think the next year is about the guys in the suits who are going to have to make sure that the insurance payouts happen and we start seeing some real rebuilding happening," he told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking.

Mr Sutton says there's going to be a lot of vacant space in Christchurch for a long time, which is going to be a challenge.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has visions of Christchurch as a massive construction site.

He says the city has virtually gone back to the 1850s when the city was first being built.

Mr Brownlee wants people to look at the opportunities the city is presented with and would also like to see excitement around where new civic facilities will go.

"I would like to see the skyline of Christchurch littered with tower cranes and for the city to be a great big construction site," he told Mike Hosking.

Mr Brownlee says after today's commemoration of the misery of the earthquake, the city can look forward to a pretty optimistic future.

The Very Reverend Peter Beck is soon to take over as a city councillor for the Burwood-Pegasus ward and says it's time for him to step up.

"To be able to work and listen to those communities and to try and be a voice and an advocate for them as they rebuild, that's really important, and to be part of a city council that's had a bit of a wake up call." he told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking.

He says Christchurch locals are a resilient bunch who need to look to the positive things going on it the community. >> More Christchurch News