5. KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Civil Defence
Did he meet with business leaders in Christchurch yesterday to discuss the civil defence state of national emergency operations; if so, what was the outcome of that meeting?
Hon JOHN CARTER (Minister of Civil Defence) Link to this
Yes, the national controller, Steve Brazier, and I met with representatives from the Central City Business Association, the New Zealand Retailers Association, the Canterbury Development Corporation, the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce, and the Canterbury Business Recovery Group. The meeting was to address issues that business owners have raised with the national controller about access to businesses in the cordoned red zone, and planning for business continuity in the wake of the 22 February earthquake. I am pleased to report that it was a very positive meeting, and civil defence is working to meet business owners’ pressing needs to access their vital records, property, and stock. Helping to restore business activity in Christchurch is a key focus.
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi Link to this
How will the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management progress the outcome of the meeting?
The national controller is carrying out a stocktake of buildings within the cordoned red zone to give clarity to business owners about the current state of their business premises, and to reassess the situation after last weekend’s 5.1 magnitude aftershock. Where possible, work will be undertaken to secure businesses and property or stock that owners cannot yet access—for example, doors may be shut and locked. A team is now set up to do that. The ministry is working with business leaders to find out which businesses are in the affected buildings. After combining that information with a building stocktake, they will be able to map out how and when businesses can retrieve what they need to get their businesses back up and running. This work will remain subject to the maintenance of people’s safety. The ministry fully appreciates the concern of business owners who want to retrieve the information, property, or stock that will enable them to continue their business operations. The national controller and his team are working with business leaders on this, and are making good progress. They are talking to them every day and have been in contact with them since the day after the 22 February earthquake.