Roger Sutton- Bexley demolitions | Canterbury Opinion | Local Voices from Canterbury, New Zealand

Residential red zone demolitions took another step forward this week with the demolition of a cluster of 11 houses in Bexley, around Waireka Lane.

The demolitions will test procedures in order to ensure that the level of disruption to residents still residing in the residential red zone is minimised and efficiencies are maximised. Any lessons learned from the initial cluster will allow improvements to be made before more widespread demolition ramps up this month.

This is a complex programme, and we're keen to ensure that the plans we have in place work well, and that we mitigate as many of the issues as much as we possibly can. We're planning to organise clearances in groups of 20 or so properties, initially focussed on areas where the infrastructure is damaged, and costly to keep operating.

Neighbouring communities will be informed in advance when demolitions will start _ signs will be erected and door knocking will occur beforehand. Routes in and out of the area will be planned to minimise disruption, and avoid areas such as schools.

These areas will be work sites, and potentially hazardous, and people need to take care in the areas while houses are being demolished. We're certainly not encouraging sightseers to visit and watch these operations as the scale of demolitions involved would make that difficult to coordinate.

Plans are in place to manage any fire risks, dust, hazardous waste, and to minimise the disruption caused to neighbouring communities.

CERA is working with the city council and the Fire Service to manage any fire risk. We're fortunate that recent weather means long grass has been less of an issue lately - but obviously that can change. Our approach is proactive but measured.

Dust can also be an issue, either from demolitions, infrastructure work or stop banks. The two-phased approach to demolitions, removing buildings, but leaving fences and paths initially will help keep the dust down. When the sites are completely cleared, we'll look again at dust management. How that is done will depend on the season.

Removal of hazardous goods should be done by the property owners and can be disposed of for free at the recycling centres at Christchurch's three transfer stations and the Waimakariri's Southbrook Resource Recovery Park and Oxford transfer station. People should not tip paint, weed-killer or any other hazardous materials down drains or bury them in their garden.

Anyone with concerns or questions about the work, can contact CERA on 0800 RING CERA (0800 7464 2372).