Red-zoned properties transferred to Christchurch City Council for $1

Twenty Port Hills red-zoned properties, including the former Marine Tavern site in Sumner, are likely to be transferred to the city council from the Crown.

Twenty red-zoned properties in Sumner, Clifton Hill and Moa Bone Point are likely to be transferred to the city council for $1.

The city council wants the Crown to transfer the Port Hills properties to it so it can access them for future maintenance, and ensure the public can't enter them.

Its infrastructure, transport and environment committee decided on Wednesday to recommend city councillors approve the plan.

The properties, on Wakefield Ave, Nayland St, Clifton Tce, Main Rd and Balmoral Lane, were red zoned following the February 22, 2011 earthquake.

They were later acquired by the Crown.

One property, at 8A Balmoral Lane incorporated Moa Bone Cave - an archaeological site.

Extensive rock fall mitigation had been done to the properties, including the installation of bunds and barriers to protect the roads below, and nearby properties.

Former Minister supporting greater Christchurch regeneration Gerry Brownlee, and Land Information New Zealand chief executive Andrew Crisp have both agreed to the transfer.

Committee chairwoman Pauline Cotter said if the transfer is approved by full council, it would incur some cost to keep the properties maintained. But it made sense, she said.

One property, at 8A Balmoral Lane incorporated Moa Bone Cave - an archaeological site.

The cave remained fenced off because it was a safety hazard, so any future decisions for it would have to include Heritage New Zealand, and consultation with Ngai Tahu.

Another property is the former site of Sumner's Marine Tavern.