Family upset they didn't know of redzone demolition

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Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:07p.m.

A bulldozer waiting for the demolition process to begin

A bulldozer waiting for the demolition process to begin

By Kloe Palmer

Demolition is set to begin any minute now on the first of Christchurch’s red zone houses that were bought by the Government.

Eleven properties in the Bexley area will be cleared over the next four weeks.

But some of the people who used to live there are only just finding out their old homes will be first to go.

Hugh and Janet Derham and their three grandchildren spent the morning saying one last good bye to their Bexley home. 

Their Kaiwaka Lane property was purchased by the Government and it is one of 11 in the residential red zone listed for demolition over the next month.

The Derham’s are upset they have heard nothing from CERA.

The couple found out from a journalist that their house is going to be one of the first to come down.    

“It is our home, we would have loved to have known we would have brought more of the family here to say good bye because almost all of them have stayed here or even lived here especially our grandchildren,” they say.

The Labour MP for the eastern suburbs, Leanne Dalziel, says she is hearing the same story over and over again.

“I think that's the problem with the Government, it doesn't see these as anything other than properties to be demolished now that they own them, but in fact they were peoples homes.”

But the Government says it held a public meeting and door knocked the area last week.

One home on Seabreeze Close is one of four properties in the area that are still occupied. 

But just across the road a digger is waiting to bring down the first of many houses on a street where even the road cones are broken. ‘

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Comments

31 Jan 2012 11:00a.m.

Pam wrote:

For goodness sake people, MOVE ON!

30 Jan 2012 06:38p.m.

Chris wrote:

I'm ambivalent about this. I do know I'll be devastated when our relatively undamaged home on a property with little land damage is demolished, but will I want to know they are going to do it, or will it be better if I find out when it's been done, I don't know. As to those here who are glorying in our unhappiness, leave it alone. Not all of us want to go, nor do we want to sell to CERA but if you read the "offer" document it becomes clear we have virtually no choice. Even those who do want to leave because life has become untenable leave behind memories of better times. This isn't a normal sale of property, it's forced evacuation - whether by nature or by government. What I expect from CERA is some empathy, something that has been totally lacking to date. And thank heavens for Lianne Dalziel - our articulate voice.

30 Jan 2012 04:02p.m.

george wrote:

these people should move on. They have sold the house and no longer own it. Move on people. Wouldn't you think that people seeing the house demolished cause more trauma? Best they don't know.

30 Jan 2012 02:58p.m.

Red Zone Resident wrote:

I'm a red zone resident from Bexley and in the process of settling with CERA. Sure, we'll no longer own the property, but out of respect we would like to know the demolition date so that we can see the home we once took a lot of pride in come down. We don't need phone calls or letters, but maybe publish the addresses somewhere with demolition dates.

30 Jan 2012 02:53p.m.

Alan wrote:

What a bunch of sentimental fools. They should have said their goodbyes when they moved out like everyone one else does when the sell up.

30 Jan 2012 02:22p.m.

Jac wrote:

I agree - you don't own the house anymore. Why should CERA waste time and other resources to tell you something that's none of your business. Some people need to get on with their lives and let it go.

30 Jan 2012 02:04p.m.

Rose wrote:

I agree with Aiden on this one. The houses were sold and now belong to someone else, Whoever that is has the right to do with the property what they wish. If it were sold to Joe Public and they decided to tear it done to build something new you would not have to be consulted nor advised.

30 Jan 2012 02:00p.m.

victoria wrote:

do we really expect CERA to waste time and money letting people know when their former home is to go under the wreckers ball - basically people know when they sell it to the government that it is to be demolished. This isn't news - these people need to move on. Yes its sad people lost their homes and communities but this story is ridiculous.

30 Jan 2012 12:57p.m.

Aiden wrote:

why should you know, you do not own these properties, they are now owned by either insurance companies or the government depending on what route you went, therefore you have no right to be told when anything is done to it. get off the pity me train. no surprise the failure Dalziel is the one pushing this.