Technical experts to help speed up Chch consenting process

File photo / Simon Baker

The Government will appoint technical experts to join the Christchurch City Council's consenting department in a move to speed up its consenting process.

The technical experts will be appointed from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and will work with council officers.

"The team will have the authority to make changes as required," Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said.

The move comes after the Government last week gave the council a two-week deadline to speed up its consenting process, saying urgent action was needed in the quake-damaged city.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson said it was clear council staff wanted to "sort this issue as much as anyone and they have been encouraged by offers to assist from other consenting bodies throughout the country".

"This will mean significant extra resource is available to the council and the MBIE team," Mr Williamson said.

Mr Brownlee said the Government would reassess next week whether it needed to intervene further to speed up the consenting process.