A bill modernising the legislation covering the Christchurch Arts Centre has been sent to select committee.
Local MP Nicky Wagner said the art centre played a special role in the heart of Christchurch and one of the largest clusters of historic buildings covering the arts, education and science.
The area has been looked after by a trust since 1978, but after the earthquakes all but one of the more than 20 buildings suffered serious damage and needed to be rebuilt and strengthened.
The Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Bill gives greater certainty to the trust’s aims in the wake of the quakes and modernised its governance.
Ruth Dyson said Labour would support the private bill to ensure more heritage buildings were protected after so many were destroyed by the quakes and then later by the Government’s agencies.
The bill completed its first reading on a voice vote and was referred to the Local Govt and Environment committee for consideration.
MPs began the committee stage debate on the Summary Offences (Possession of Hand-held Lasers) Amendment Bill.
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