Mayor welcomes decision to reinstate Cathedral

Community consultation on the Council’s proposed $10 million contribution towards Christ Church Cathedral’s reinstatement will begin shortly following today’s landmark decision by the Anglican Synod.

The earthquake-damaged Christ Church Cathedral is going to be reinstated.

After lengthy deliberations, the 225-member Synod today agreed to reinstate Christ Church Cathedral as the centre-piece of the city. 

The synod’s decision has been warmly welcomed by Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel, who has worked with the Minister supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Nicky Wagner, to bring an end to the uncertainty that has surrounded the fate of the earthquake-damaged cathedral.

“After years of debate and delays, Christ Church Cathedral will once again take centre stage in our city,’’ the Mayor says.

“The Government’s generous offer has been integral to that successful outcome. But it was securing cross-party support for new legislation that will fast-track the Cathedral’s reinstatement that gives the certainty the city needs. 

"Without this we could be in court for years not knowing what the outcome would be until the final appeal was exhausted,” the Mayor says.

In July the Council agreed to back the Crown’s offer by pledging $10 million towards the estimated $100 million cost of reinstating the Cathedral. However, its contribution was subject to consultation with the community to confirm funding in the 2018-28 Long Term Plan.

The Mayor says the Council plans to consult the community through a special consultative procedure after the general election.

“This will be the chance for people to have their say on the size of the grant and the terms under which any grant from the Council should be made.''

The Mayor says the synod's decision to accept the Crown's offer and proceed with the reinstatement of the Cathedral is a good outcome and she is looking forward to the opportunity to discussing it with the community.

The vote of 55 per cent for reinstatement reflects the fact that there has always been a divided view of the future of the catherdral since the earthquakes.

"With the decision today what has divided us can now unite us. We know the decision and we can move on.''

Minister Wagner says she is delighted with the outcome of today's vote.

“Now we can focus on appointing members to an independent trust and setting up a joint venture to manage the project. More details will be released in the coming weeks and months, but whether or not you’re interested in seeing Christ Church Cathedral reinstated, this is a breakthrough for Christchurch and will have positive flow-on effects for the rest of the country,'' she says.

For more information on the Government offer and reinstatement, visit www.ccwg.org.nz