Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Nobody wanted #EQNZ for Christmas

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  • Sacha,

    A few relevant interviews on today's Radio NZ Morning Report.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    Why not stop having a mayor?

    Elect a council (preferably with a fair voting system) and have them choose a leader who has the confidence of a majority of councillors (just like the way a Prime Minister is chosen). The minority of councillors form the opposition.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Lilith __, in reply to Just thinking,

    Newcastle guys came over and campaiged for open access to the City Centre, as their fenched off city died due to cordons.

    If we’d had open access people would have died on June 13.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Lilith __,

    If we’d had open access people would have died on June 13.

    Good point.
    About Newcastle, the partner of an old friend left the Newcastle Workers Club, where nine people died, a few hours before the quake. He'd been setting up band gear for a show that night, where at least 1200 had been expected in the area below where the floor collapsed.

    Hunter Hospital, about the same size as Christchurch Public and mostly much older, was entirely evacuated due to structural damage.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • Lilith __, in reply to Joe Wylie,

    at least 1200 had been expected in the area below where the floor collapsed.

    Holy crap. Those were lucky people.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Lilith __,

    Holy crap. Those were lucky people.

    Yeah, my reaction exactly, though it wasn't until a couple of years after the event that I caught up with that. I had no idea at the time that the Workers Club was a major music venue.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • Just thinking, in reply to Lilith __,

    No it wouldn't.
    What of the electrocuted Roofer? These cordonds have saved no-one.
    This position would require a basic inversion of our current process.
    Firstly remove the largest threat first, not the easiest.
    Blow up the big buildings, use Artillary if explosives can't be safely laid by engineers. This is the tried and true war recovery action.
    Strap masonry, don't brace it. This way it'll rock n roll, not bash itself up.
    Our environment has been designed to milk the Insurance industry for Feltchers.

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report

  • Lilith __, in reply to Just thinking,

    These cordonds have saved no-one.

    Respectfully, I disagree. And I don't think levelling the central city with explosives is a good solution.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report

  • Hebe, in reply to Just thinking,

    These cordonds have saved no-one

    Wrong.

    But I for one am thrilled that a lot of the ugliest tower blocks are to come down, and I agree: level the central city and start again. But it won't happen.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report

  • Lilith __, in reply to Hebe,

    level the central city and start again.

    Even the buildings that can be saved?

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report

  • Hebe, in reply to Lilith __,

    On the basis that a totally blank canvas could lead to an amazing city. But it cannot happen because the city is not owned by one entity, and the insurance/compensation issues would be epic.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report

  • Lilith __, in reply to Hebe,

    a totally blank canvas could lead to an amazing city.

    Could also lead to a city that's bland and characterless. I'm all for diversity and interest. :-)

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to Hebe,

    Cant we- inhabitants, creatives, lovers-of-place, locals (families & those who have families in Otautahi/ChChCh) really offer our skills for a vibrant *different* sustained & sustaining non-concrete LIVING space?
    Hey! It could be up trees! It could be house boats! It could be float-on-land lifetime only places!
    We do have the creativity!
    The bureaucrats - fuck 'em!

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Hebe, in reply to Islander,

    Hehhe; indeed. No concrete, no glass. Have you seen the design for the old Press site: looks like tilt slab with seismic uplift. The few new buildings going up look monstrous; there's an especially vile thing in Victoria St where those old shops with the verandahs near Carlton Corner were.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report

  • Hebe, in reply to Lilith __,

    Could also lead to a city that's bland and characterless. I'm all for diversity and interest. :-)

    iJust for those reasons I want an organically growing city in all senses of the word.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report

  • Just thinking,

    The Cordon is just Christchurch Coolaid. Had CCC CD or CERA addressed the largest threats first repair could begin. Their philosophy is for easiest first and hardest last. So slow and painful.
    Disater Recovery has a few guiding plans. One key is that the Response and Recovery teams be totally different people.
    The Cordon highlights why. People can't change from past actions that were the right thing to do in the initial response. They won't see the changing need and so keep "Blowing air into the lungs of their breathing patient".
    CERA took on the CD team and is still in Response mode and can't change out of it.

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie,

    It seems that the effect of Wednesday's action has been like a dose of magic pixie dust on our elected reps.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • merc,

    Newly appointed Crown observer Kerry Marshall was not present. Having been told the meeting would be "pretty straightforward", he instead headed to Wellington to meet government officials and discuss his role in Christchurch.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/6358267/Councillors-on-best-behaviour
    You would think they would have set his role prior to sending him to Christchurch?

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to merc,

    Apart from Kerry Marshall being a former Mayor of Nelson who reputedly pretty much let his own Council's CEO off the leash, he's supposed to be a marriage counselor. I've heard that to excel in that field it helps to be a total can of worms, so that others' problems appear trivial in comparison with your own.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • merc, in reply to Joe Wylie,

    Kinda like a Witchsmeller Pursuivant? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchsmeller_Pursuivant

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to merc,

    Witchsmeller Pursuivant

    Got it! I remember that one . . .
    Protest organiser Peter Lynch described Marshall's role as like a band aid over a cut that won't heal. The witchfinder role would be welcomed by Parker's deputy Ngaire Button, who blames the current debacle on 'leakers'.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • Just thinking,

    I don't believe the sudden rush from Brownlee & Isaac reported today. It's been leaning since September. I'm waiting for the building rush on Hagley Park for Hospital and Police expansions.
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/6357229/Urgent-demolition-for-Park-Terrace-ordered

    Anyway the survey below might be interesting.
    http://www.centralcitystudy.org.nz
    /http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22DZA2XQUD6

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report

  • Hebe, in reply to Just thinking,

    I don't believe the sudden rush from Brownlee & Isaac reported today. It's been leaning since September.

    You're right; I know of a person who has been out of there since Feb 22 -- only allowed in for 30 minutes to get whatever could be got. Too dangerous to go back.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report

  • Just thinking,

    Check out the bridges in the City. Harper & Bealy Ave is looking very dodgy with lots of broken bits.

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to Just thinking,

    Sutton?
    Gone to ground entirely?
    Expensive smiley face?

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

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