Christchurch 30 June 2014. CERA, ECAN, Christchurch City Council Following my request (attached) to Land Information New Zealand for a formal investigation of changes to the Costal Marine Area in Christchurch following the earthquakes, Chris Harris, Manager Crown Property Regulatory, has confirmed that the Coastal Marine Area has now extended past the pre-earthquake definition of the Costal Marine Area. (Ref PRV-F15-10/ 765). The Bridge Street reserve has sunk into the Coastal Marine Area and the land has consequently been divested. According to information from CCC, the current height of the MHWS is 10.38m above the Christchurch City Datum for the area around Bridge St. This confirms, as per the elevation map published by the Council, that approximately 40 properties in South Brighton now reside within the Coastal Marine Area, while many more are now on the borderline. Further up the rivers many other properties are affected.

The Bridge St reserve and about 40 properties are now below MHWS and are now public land, non rateable, as above. Source: CERA / CCC floorlevels website.

Groundwater levels before and after the earthquakes, groundwater levels are at dangerous height. The land has subsided therefore groundwater measures higher. Source: Orbit Geotechnical database. Pursuant to the Marine and Coastal Act 2011, this land has now become public land, and pursuant to the Local Government (Rating) Act, it must now be defined as non-rateable land. Such land cannot be owned, bought or sold. Due to the subsidence caused by the earthquakes, the land is deemed a total loss.

Erosion risk is one of the definitions of the Costal Marine Area. Source: ECan.

LINZ has identified the problem and has suggested that decision-making authorities seek assistance from central government as this affects several pockets of land in Christchurch. The Cabinet Ministers made zoning decisions based on the assumption that individual solutions were available for increased risk of flooding. EQC has now confirmed that individual solutions do not exist. That makes the zoning decision incorrect. If the land is damaged beyond repair that would be defined a total loss. We request that this matter be given urgent attention. We find it inexcusable that some of the worst affected earthquake victims are being left at risk of imminent loss and denied the protection of the relevant New Zealand legislation. This situation has arisen as a result of the Costal Marine Area not having been redefined. Please confirm receipt of this e-mail. I would request a prompt response, outlining the actions that will be taken to address this serious issue. Regards Hugo Kristinsson Founding member of the South Brighton Residents' Association Founder of Empowered Christchurch 82 Blake St. 8061 Christchurch, Phone: (03) 3885236 Mobile: 021 446 535