Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority chief executive Roger Sutton has offered his apologies to orange zoned residents for delays in the decision on the fate of their land.
Residents in Spencerville, Brooklands, Southshore and west Kaiapoi were expecting to be informed this month, but the authority says that now won't happen.
Mr Sutton, has sent a letter to the residents apologising for the delay.
He says the two snow storms that hit the area held up the aerial surveying work.
He says the authority will be in contact with residents next month with an updated timeframe.