"It's looking very much like the cost to repair ... is going to be in excess of what it costs for a rebuild."

I wonder if this re-build cost is for a building with the same character or the same floor space as both need to be taken into account. I would be very interested to hear the cost of building the same building again and comparing that to the repair cost

NNNoooo!!!! I love this building, so many memories as both a railway station and then going to Science Alive, Hoyts and Time Out when I was growing up. Moorhouse Ave just wouldn't make sense without it! Gutted...

Frankly this building gives me the absolute creeps every time I drive past... I say get rid of it ASAP!!!

Why are rebuilds not done how it was done in Germany after the war? rebuild and have the fronts as what the building once looked to retain character?

I too feel the station should be used as it was.

Reuben   #8   via mobile 02:20 am Jan 11 2012

Couldn't agree more with comments above...lets bring trains back to the heart of the city. On to the train off the ferry straight into the middle of town. Light rail will bring people in a quick and efficient manner back to where it matters most. Screw the malls that have killed our city...lets bring the people back

Relocating the railway station to its rightful place would be fantastic. Let's repair it if this is a viable option and make it an extra special experience for visitors. The building, like many others that can and should be saved, is more than an icon in our City, it is a touchstone of life pre September 2010 and we will need these to navigate our way into the future. If you want to help save viable heritage buildings in Christchurch, search for 'Christchurch' on www.change.org and sign the petition.

I love this; "When you look at the new modern buildings that are portraying science and technology to the public [overseas], a railway station doesn't really lend itself to thinking ahead"

There really are some clueless, ignorant and narrow-minded oinks on the mainland aren't there? he's obviously never heard of bullet trains.

I agree mysay, have a CBD terminus and forget these daft tram-train ideas. The corner of Tuam and Mancheste street couldn't be more ideal.

Why would you want to build a new railway station near what has now been mapped as a new fault line (Barbadoes St)?

Agree with both these. Demolish the existing building and build a new purpose built one. As an ex accommodation provider we had lots of comments regarding the current train station. It is an embarrassment to the city. Also the bus depots for Intercity and other tourist bus services could be incorporated as their exisiting facilities (before Feb) also do not deserve a mention. No parking being a biggey. Time to think outside the square and rebuild a bigger brighter CHCH with outstanding services for travelling public and tourists. We need them back and with the new airport we need to keep inmproving on the image of all travel providers.

It will be sad to see Science alive go, having had a lot of fun memories there myself as a child. But the idea of sharing a new and revitalised science alive with my children is fantastic. Although you might not need your earthquake simulator anymore.. And we definately need to improve our public transport for the future Christchurch, so take the chance as we have it. But Please, if nothing else, keep the clock that reads 4.36.