Final Christchurch red zone demolition underway

The last demolition in Christchurch’s red zone is underway, signalling the end of a massive 10-year clearance programme.

In the past 10 years, the Crown and insurers have carried out more than 7,500 demolitions and clearances across about 800ha of red zone land stretching from Waimakariri to Christchurch’s Port Hills.

Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has led the demolition and clearance programme since December 2015 when it inherited responsibility from the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority.

“The scale and complexity of this work is unlike anything else in New Zealand, and reaching the end of the programme marks a significant milestone in the regeneration of greater Christchurch,” says Matt Bradley, LINZ Manager of Project and Hazard Management Delivery.

Many of the most complex demolitions were completed in the Port Hills where properties often teetered near cliff edges or were on steep sections, requiring innovative leading-edge clearance techniques.

The final demolition is a large house constructed of concrete and polystyrene that is perched above Governors Bay on Banks Peninsula.

About 225 cubic metres of the property’s concrete waste – the equivalent of three 40-foot shipping containers – will be diverted from landfill for roading fill and other uses. Wooden floorboards will be chipped and donated to the community for such things as gardening.

“In total, about 70 percent of the building’s demolition waste will be diverted from landfill and recycled,” says Mr Bradley.

“It’s a great result for sustainability and reflects LINZ’s commitment to reducing waste to landfill with its demolitions and clearances.”

The demolition started in July and is expected to be complete by the end of October. It is being carried out under the watchful eye of rock spotters – people on-site during work hours who watch out for potential rockfall. This is one of many techniques LINZ uses to ensure the safety of people completing demolition works across the Port Hills.