MEDIA RELEASE
18 January 2011
Quakes Royal Commission Confirms Hearings Until End of March
The Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission has confirmed dates for its hearings through until the end of March 2012. It is also in discussion with the Government about an extension to its final reporting date.
The Commission’s terms of reference require it to deliver a final report to the Governor-General by 11 April 2012. However the Commission is seeking an extension to allow sufficient time to complete its hearings programme and prepare its final report.
The inquiry, which began in May 2011, has been progressing well. However the Commission is seeking the extension due to unexpected delays in receiving key evidence, some of the public hearings taking longer than anticipated and the sheer breadth of the inquiry.
The hearings schedule for January to March is as follows:
|
Date |
Hearing |
|
17-18 January |
Hotel Grand Chancellor |
|
23 January |
116 Lichfield Street (Ruben Blades) |
|
24 January |
89/89A, 91 & 93 Cashel Street (Cashel Mall) |
|
25 January |
194 Hereford Street (Joe’s Garage) |
|
26 January |
200-204 Manchester Street (Iconic Bar) |
|
30 January |
32 Cathedral Square (The Press) |
|
31 January |
309 Durham Street (Methodist Church) |
|
1-2 February |
603 & 605-613 Colombo Street |
|
13 February |
595 & 595A Colombo Street |
|
14 February |
601/601A Colombo Street |
|
15 February |
194 Gloucester Street and 246 High Street |
|
16 February |
382 Colombo Street |
|
23-24 February |
Forsyth Barr |
|
27 February |
43 Lichfield Street |
|
28 February |
265-271 Manchester Street (173 Gloucester Street) |
|
29 February |
753-759 Colombo Street |
|
1 March |
738 Colombo Street |
|
12-15 March |
New building technologies |
|
26-28 March |
The training of engineers and organisation of the engineering profession |
After that, the Commission plans to hold hearings about the CTV building; building assessments after earthquakes; and the regulatory framework (including building codes and design rules). The date of these hearings will be established once the Government has made a decision on the request for an extension of time.
Because the hearing about the training of engineers has been moved from February to March, the Commission has extended the submission deadline to 31 January.
The timetables for next week’s hearings are now available on the Commission’s website.
Point of Clarification
As part of the ongoing inquiry, the Commission periodically holds public hearings on matters of particular public interest and/or that require further clarification. The Commission continues its inquiry regardless of whether hearings are currently being held. It is misleading to report the Commission is “resuming” when a public hearing begins and similarly that the inquiry has “adjourned” when a hearing has been completed.
ENDS
Media Contact
Robin Major
Senior Communications Advisor
Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission
Ph + 64 (0)3 741 3004 or + 64 (0)21 621 656
Email: robin.major@royalcommission.govt.nz
