Secret meeting warns of quake repair bill

City councillors have been warned in a secret meeting that the cost of fixing quake-damaged underground infrastructure could be much more than originally thought.

The Star can reveal today that Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee called city councillors to a meeting on December 14 where he outlined how serious the problem was.

The Government has previously said it will pay for 60 per cent of the repair bill - the other 40 per cent being met by the city council, which means ratepayers could foot all or part of that bill.

But The Star understands that up to 80 per cent of the extent of the damage underground is still not known; and the cost blowout could be huge.

City councillors and Mayor Bob Parker, gave Mr Brownlee an assurance at the meeting they would not talk publicly about what was discussed.

Councillors and Mr Parker refused to discuss the meeting with The Star yesterday.

Mr Brownlee confirmed yesterday that the meeting had taken place, but would not give specifics as to what he told city councillors.

``You are asking me to release it all and I'm not going to do that,'' he said.

``Councillors do need to have time to think of the implications for ratepayers,'' he said.

In September  the Government announced a $1.1b five-year repair plan for earthquake damaged roads and underground services.

But The Star understands the Government is now worried that figure could balloon several times over because of the extent of the unknown damage.

The Star has learned Mr Brownlee told the meeting that no one knew how the cost was going to be met - whether  through rates, selling off assets or raising loans.

Mr Brownlee told The Star yesterday city councillors ``needed time'' to consider the impact on ratepayers.

But Mr Brownlee said that ``80 per cent was misleading.''

``I'm sounding a bit flustered here but everything is based on a best available information and estimates.

``We think 12 per cent of the underground infrastructure has been completed and there is billions of dollars of work currently being planned.

"The estimates are more like 50 per cent is known and that is conservative, I feel it could be as high as 60 per cent.''

Mr Brownlee said the cost of repairing the underground infrastructure would not be known until the work was finished.

``All I can say is that when it is finished we will know the cost,'' he said.

``Until we get the digger out we can't fully know the cost,'' he said.

Mr Parker could not comment on the meeting as he did not want to loose Mr Brownlee's confidence.

``I think he should respond and explain his rationale as it was his meeting. If you are invited to a confidential meeting you accept it and be party to the information or reject it,'' said Mr Parker.

``The minister called the meeting because he had information he wanted to pass on that was material to the rebuild.''

City councillor Tim Carter said that discussing the meeting ``was very delicate''.

``It is something which is very delicate and one which I don't want to comment on.

'`What I can say is that I am very concerned with council's finances and the lack of information the council has,'' he said.

 Labour's earthquake recovery spokeswoman, Christchurch East MP Lianne Dalziel said she was concerned the meeting was held in secret.

"That is a very old fashioned way with dealing with these matters. It is vital for the rebuild that there is transparency and account ability right the way through instead of the minister having private meetings with city council
lors behind closed doors,'' she  said.

 "These figures for the rebuild are eyewatering but it is better that they are out in the light instead of in the dark,'' she said.