Minister: Gerry Brownlee

Minister welcomes Manawatu Gorge re-opening

Beehive — Thu, 31 May 2012 04:59:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has applauded the hard work done over the past nine months which has seen the Manawatu Gorge reopen today, albeit with a limited one way service. “I very much appreciate the efforts of lead contractor Higgins and all their sub-contractors who have been working day and night to clear the largest road slip we’ve ever seen in the country’s history,” Mr Brownlee said. “Today’s re-opening is good news for motorists, especially coming in time for Queen’s Birthday weekend. ...

Earthquake Recovery Strategy launched

Beehive — Thu, 31 May 2012 04:56:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today released the Recovery Strategy which sets out the directions and priorities for the region’s recovery. Developed by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), the Recovery Strategy is essentially a roadmap through the rebuild. It has been developed following months of consultation and collaboration with the community and CERA’s key stakeholders, including Te Rünanga o Ngāi Tahu, the Christchurch City Council, Selwyn and Waimakariri District Councils and Environment Canterbury. ...

Government transport investment continues

Admin — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:35:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Budget 2012

KiwiRail will receive $250 million of capital in 2012/13 for its Turnaround Plan to help the rail freight business become sustainable, Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says. The Budget 2012 appropriation is the final round of a three-year $750 million Government funding package supporting the objectives of KiwiRail’s Turnaround Plan. “The plan is designed to help the rail freight business become sustainable by 2020 so it can fund its business solely from customer revenue. ...

Recovery Fund helping Canterbury communities

Admin — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:35:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Budget 2012

Investment from the $5.5 billion Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Fund is on track, with thousands of people benefiting, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says. “Over the past 12 months, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) has used the Recovery Fund to kick-start the rebuild and improve the lives of Cantabrians,” Mr Brownlee says. ...

Road Maintenance Task Force reports

Admin — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:55:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed the release today of an interim report from the cross-sector Road Maintenance Task Force. The Government set up the task force in July last year to drive value for money and seek opportunities to reduce costs for road controlling authorities around the country. Task force membership is drawn from the NZ Transport Agency, Local Government New Zealand, Roading New Zealand, road controlling authorities, the NZ Contractors’ Federation and the Association of Consulting Engineers NZ. ...

Air transport policy review underway

Beehive — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:16:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has released a discussion document on New Zealand’s International Air Transport Policy, proposing changes to benefit the New Zealand economy. “New Zealand’s international air transport policy sets out the overall framework for how we negotiate and implement air services agreements with other countries and is a vital part of enabling economic growth,” Mr Brownlee said. ...

Parklands East stays green TC3

Admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:25:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says a thorough review of the state of the land in Parklands East following the December 23 earthquake has shown the original decision to zone the area green remains appropriate. Properties in Parklands East were zoned green and given Department of Building and Housing (DBH) Technical Category 3 (TC3). ...

Flat land residential zoning now complete

Admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:23:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today announced the final decision in almost 11 months of flat land residential zoning in Canterbury. “Today’s news delivers certainty to the owners of 401 properties in Southshore West, following a long and frustrating wait,” Mr Brownlee said. “It brings the number of residential properties zoned red because they are unsuitable for residential occupation to 7256.” ...

421 Port Hills properties zoned green

Admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:21:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today announced the green zoning of 421 residential properties in the Port Hills, leaving 1679 houses still under review. “This announcement is part of an ongoing programme of technical modelling and mapping work to determine risks from rockfall and cliff collapse, and the feasibility of addressing those hazards,” Mr Brownlee said. ...

Budget 2012: Recovery of Canterbury on track

Beehive — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:33:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Budget 2012

The recovery of Canterbury is on track and is starting to hit its stride, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says. In a pre-Budget announcement with Prime Minister John Key in Christchurch today, Mr Brownlee said the Government will have spent $2.45 billion of the $5.5 billion Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Fund by 30 June this year on important rebuild and recovery initiatives in the wider region. ...

National Airspace Policy released

Admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:55:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says a new national airspace policy will give the aviation industry clarity on future development and modernisation of the country’s airspace. “This updated policy will future proof the airspace and air navigation system to ensure the safe and efficient movement of air traffic,” Mr Brownlee says. ...

Church should release all documents

Admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:30:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says all documents held by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) in regard to the ChristChurch Cathedral will be released tomorrow. The Minister says the Anglican Church should now also release all advice and documentation it has been working from, given the huge public interest in the issue of the cathedral’s partial deconstruction. ...

Proposed changes to agricultural vehicle rules

Beehive — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:19:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee is inviting the agricultural sector to have its say on proposed changes to transport regulation for agricultural vehicles. “Last year the government announced the need to ensure these rules were protecting safety without imposing unnecessary red tape,” Mr Brownlee said. ...

Christchurch social housing solutions gather pace

Admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:22:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says Government initiatives will soon relieve pressure on the Christchurch rental market by bringing a large amount of new stock into the system. “Today there are over 800 rental properties available in Canterbury, with over 700 available in Christchurch, however I recognise that finding suitable accommodation is becoming harder for some people and we’re working very hard to alleviate the pressure,” Mr Brownlee said. Key events which will soon bring new housing supply to the market are: ...

Red zone offers get three month extension

Beehive — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 03:41:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced a three month extension to the time required for insured residential red zoned property owners to choose a settlement option. “Over 4200 people have already accepted one of the Crown offers that were first made in June 2011, and the Government is confident the extension will assist those who are yet to make a decision on which of the two offers to accept,” Mr Brownlee said. ...

Special Feature: Canterbury Earthquakes Recovery

Beehive — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Canterbury Earthquakes Recovery RECENT RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 24 May 2012 Recovery Fund helping Canterbury communities 18 May 2012 Parklands East stays green TC3 Flat land residential zoning now complete ...

Launch of the Central Christchurch Development Unit

Admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 22:41:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Good morning everyone. First let me introduce who is here this morning for this announcement. I would like to very warmly welcome Mayor Bob Parker. Also with me are CERA Chief Executive Roger Sutton and CERA Operations Manager Warwick Isaacs. The reason we’re here today is because the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act required the Christchurch City Council to prepare a draft CBD plan, which was presented to me as Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery on the 21st of December 2011. ...

New unit for the rebuild of central Christchurch

Admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 22:37:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee today announced the establishment of a new business unit inside the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) to focus on rebuilding Christchurch’s CBD. “The Christchurch Central Development Unit will provide clear leadership for the rebuild of the city and work in a positive partnership with Christchurch City Council, which remains the consenting authority,” Mr Brownlee said. ...

Proposed changes to vehicle emissions rules

Beehive — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:25:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced plans to update the rules setting emissions standards for vehicles entering New Zealand. Proposed changes to the 2007 Vehicle Exhaust Emissions Rule will ensure that New Zealand continues to import new vehicles built to the highest available exhaust emissions standards. Current standards for used vehicles would remain in place. ...

Agreement will allow flights between New Zealand and China to triple

Beehive — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:21:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says a new understanding between China and New Zealand triples the number of passenger flights that may be operated between the two countries. The understanding comes following a visit to New Zealand from His Excellency Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. ...

New framework for bus and ferry public transport

Admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:02:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

A new framework delivering better value for money from bus and ferry services has been approved by Cabinet, Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced. The Public Transport Operating Model will enable regional councils and public transport operators to develop a public-private partnership to improve the delivery of public transport services through collaborative planning and investment. ...

Vehicle Licensing Reform for value for money

Admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 01:10:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Reform to deliver a simpler and more efficient vehicle licensing system has been announced by Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee. The Vehicle Licensing Reform project, jointly led by the Ministry of Transport and the NZ Transport Agency will examine: ...

Christchurch Stadium sponsor welcomed

Admin — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 01:05:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Gerry Brownlee today announced insurer AMI as the naming rights sponsor for the new, temporary Christchurch Stadium in Addington. Christchurch Stadium is the first sporting venue built in the city since the destructive earthquakes. “AMI’s sponsorship and continued backing of sport and entertainment in Christchurch is welcome, especially as the future of the quake damaged AMI Stadium remains in question. ...

Southshore West stays orange for now

Admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:11:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the residents of 401 properties in Southshore West will need to wait a little longer before a decision can be made on the viability of rebuilding on their land. “I know patience is running out in Southshore West, but we will soon have all the information needed to be confident of a final decision,” Mr Brownlee said. Southshore West was subject to extensive lateral spreading in the February 22 earthquake, in some places up to a metre. Properties in Southshore East were zoned green last year. ...

Avon River border areas zoned red

Admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:09:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today announced the rezoning of 251 residential properties in Christchurch’s Central City South, Richmond South and Linwood from orange to red. All insured residential properties in the newly red zoned areas will be subject to the Government offer of purchase. “Despite exhaustive research into the viability of remediating damaged land and rebuilding on these areas, the case for continued occupation does not stack up. ...

New temporary village announced

Admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:05:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today announced the development of a new temporary village at Rawhiti Domain to help meet increasing demand for short term rental housing. “The government has long recognised there is a role to play in providing temporary accommodation for those who, for whatever reason, are out of their homes for a short period because of the quakes,” Mr Brownlee said. ...

Minister launches new capital trains

Admin — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:01:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has today launched the first of six new two-car trains for Wellington’s Johnsonville line. “Today’s launch of the Matangi trains represents another chapter in the significant investment in the Wellington metropolitan rail network and is testament to the cooperation of local and central government,” says Mr Brownlee. ...

New courthouse opens in central Christchurch

Admin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:58:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Courts Minister Chester Borrows today welcomed the opening of the new Christchurch courthouse. The new courthouse, which is capable of holding jury trials, was officially opened by Mr Borrows at a ceremony in Christchurch this morning. Court services will begin on Monday 19 March. “Today’s opening of the Cambridge Terrace Courthouse is an important step in the resumption of justice services in Christchurch,” says Mr Borrows. ...

Minister applauds stadium progress

Admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:44:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

With just 15 days to go before the Crusaders take on the Cheetahs at the new Christchurch Stadium, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has praised contractors for the remarkable feat of building a 17,000-seat facility in less than 100 days. Mr Brownlee today toured the site and remarked on how much progress had been made since members of the media joined him to mark the first turf being laid three weeks ago. “Over 400 workers have taken completion of this task on as a personal mission, and their effort really shows. ...

Unemployed Cantabrians to work in the red zone

Admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:22:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett have announced a “Working InZone” programme to get unemployed Cantabrians working in the region’s residential red zone. “Funding of more than $770,000 will support up to 100 Christchurch and North Canterbury beneficiaries to clean up, maintain and secure the properties purchased by the Government in the residential red zone,” Ms Bennett said. ...