Plans are afoot to house up to 1000 construction workers in central Christchurch in what has been described as "working men's villages".
Accommodation in post-earthquake Christchurch is extremely tight, but it has been estimated as many as 20,000 workers from outside Christchurch may be needed for reconstruction efforts, putting even more pressure on housing.
The security-monitored, self-contained "working men's villages" could be built on vacant sites in the central city, each housing hundreds of working men, The Press reported on Friday.
The temporary housing will surround a central ablution block, recreational facilities and on-site food and drink venues.
Major construction, infrastructure and property investment companies are behind the project.
JGM Group's Jamie Thomas told NZ Newswire more detail on the "managed accommodation", rather than "camps" would be available next week.
However, he did say the accommodation - for between 500 and 1000 people - would be built on vacant land, whose owners could charge rent.
The accommodation would initially be more suitable for single workers - of both sexes - than families, he said.
Police and authorities would be consulted on how to address any fears the accommodation would attract drinking, crime and prostitution, he said.
"We are not going to put a gulag in there."
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority's Michelle Mitchell said there was nothing definite in JGM Group's plans and could not yet comment.
The Christchurch City Council would have to consider consents and CERA, as the umbrella recovery agency, would play some sort of role, she said.
CERA was reviewing the general wider issues of any large influx to the city, either of those returning or large numbers of new workers, she said.
News home