Chch 'can meet transport legalities’

Press, 6 October 1989, Page 7

Chch 'can meet transport legalities’

By

ANABRIGHT HAY

Changes outlined in the Transport Law Reform (No. 2) Bill are manageable and can be comfortably incorporated in the reorganised city, according to the Christchurch City Manager, Mr John Gray. Changes in the bill, as reported back to Parliament on September 12, were discussed at yesterday’s meeting of the Christchurch Transitional Committee.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Gray said the general thrust of the bill had been anticipated and the flexibility of the emerging city structure enabled the bill's requirements to be met. This could be done without having to undo existing structures. “At this time of changing legis-

lation we do not want to have to restructure twice,” he said. Mr Gray said he had not read the bill in its final printed form because it was not yet available.

He understood no work which attracts a subsidy from Transit New Zealand may be undertaken “in-house” after June 30, 1991. A company would have tp be formed to do work using council resources. This company would be able to compete for contracting work with the private sector, as well as submit prices for council work, Mr Gray said. Such developments were all part'of the “new wave” of legislative changes which emphasised “a competitive edge.” “I’m not sure the public worry or know if work is being done by

a contractor or by our own forces as long as they get good service," Mr Gray said. Several other bills, including the Resource Management Law Reform Bill, were still to come and would introduce further changes, he said.

Group managers The rive group manager posts in the new Christchurch City have now been filled with the recent appointment of Mr Jim Williamson as group manager, technical services, Mr Mike Richardson as group manager, development, and Mr Rob Dally as group manager, metropolitan services. <he appointment of Mr Bob Lireham as group manager, finance, and Mr Don Hampton as

group manager, community operations, was announced earlier.

Mr Gray said with the management team now in place he intended to make as many thirdlevel appointments as practicable by the last week in October.

Port Hills Energy A proposal that the Port Hills Energy Authority remain independent after local government amalgamation is to be reconsidered by the transitional committee.

A sub-committee of the transitional committee is to meet members of the Heath ■’te County Council and the Lyttelton Bordteh Council to discusssthe proposal and will report back to the transitional committee.