Members of Parliament and councillors have clashed over new earthquake legislation that would give widespread powers to a stand-alone central government department.

The select committee hearing on the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Bill is today underway at Addington Raceway where submissions are being heard from a wide range of local groups. The Christchurch City Council has attacked the CERA legislation saying the council's role in the recovery process was not detailed enough.

Select committee member MP Lianne Dalziel suggested the reason for the rushed legislation was because the council "had failed to come up with a plan after the earthquake". Deputy Mayor Ngaire Button said the council was worried about the extensive powers the bill would give CERA. "We are concerned the legislation places the Christchurch City Council on the same footing as any other organisation. There are many things we know about our city that a central government wouldn't understand."

Other groups fully supported the legislation, with Ngai Tahu leader Mark Solomon saying the iwi would "place trust in the Crown" by backing its bid for extra powers under new earthquake legislation.

Solomon said "extraordinary powers" were warranted by these "extraordinary circumstances".  The Canterbury District Health Board said it was "fundamental" that it was included in CERA's overall plan for the city. Chief Executive David Meates said CDHB's "number one concern" was the purpose of the legislation.

"The health and well-being of the people in Canterbury is the most important thing to consider here. We have a unique opportunity to fast-track a whole number of things that would make a huge difference to this city's health and well-being."

The New Zealand Law Society voiced concerns about unauthorised demolitions and said the CERA legislation must protect against this.

Austin Forbes of the Law Society said one of the risks associated with passing the CERA legislation so quickly was that the bill was not given full scrutiny. The society said submissions would have been more thorough if more time to prepare had been given. Environment Canterbury (ECan) said it supported the need for "timely decision making" in the aftermath of February's earthquake.

Selwyn District Council Mayor Kelvin Coe hoped CERA will discuss issues with local government before enabling their widespread powers. Coe said his council supported the legislation but wanted "to be consulted with before decisions are made". However he understood that CERA would ultimately have the final say if any disagreements were had.