Future is bleak for Christchurch buildings

There are question marks over the future of the ChristChurch Cathedral. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Wholesale demolition of Christchurch's central city looks increasingly likely after new figures emerged about the number of seriously damaged buildings.

There have been 977 buildings red-stickered within the four avenues - with many of those almost certainly earmarked for bulldozing.

"It's a fair bet the number will fall between 350 and 1000," said Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce chairman Peter Townsend.

Mayor Bob Parker wouldn't discuss the figures in detail this week: "If numbers rise, they rise."

He referred the Christchurch Star to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, which also refused to talk.

There are also question marks over the future of the ChristChurch Cathedral.

Very Reverand Peter Beck said structural engineers had so far done early preliminary reports but every aftershock was causing further damage.

- CHRISTCHURCH STAR