Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority accused of “ripping people off”.
The disgusted owner of a Christchurch building being urgently demolished says the Government is using emergency earthquake powers to rip people off.
Late last month, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) served Apex Car Rentals with a 10-day demolition notice for its Lichfield St building, on the corner of Madras St.
The building, a former fire station, was seriously damaged in September’s earthquake and suffered further damage in the February quake.
On June 7, Cera provided a $448,000 quote for the demolition of the one-and-a-half storey, century-old brick building. Days later, Apex appointed another contractor to do the job for $194,000.
However, yesterday Cera told the company its plans were “non-compliant” and the building would be knocked down for it.
Apex managing director Phil Lennon said Cera was putting impediments in the way of private contractors and its attitude was “disgusting”.
“It’s taken them 4 1/2 months to come to us and say the building needs to come down – a blind man could have seen that on the 23rd of February.”
Lennon said after getting Cera’s quote, Apex had three days to appoint an independent demolition firm and produce demolition plans.
“I understand the building needs to come down and we’re not going to cry over that,” he said. “We’re being completely ripped off. They’re using this emergency legislation to shaft people and to make money out of it for private firms.”
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