Another restructure of the Christchurch City Council has staff on edge.

CEO Dr Karleen Edwards is proposing wide-ranging changes to its organisation structure to make it more open and cut bureaucracy.

It will include management and support functions, but not frontline staff.

She's aware it's unsettling and distracting for employees, but this is about the best outcome for the community.

"People may be concerned about where they'll be in a restructure, so hence the reason for being really open. The other thing is, I want this to happen quite quickly, so we have a change proposal of staff by mid-July."

Dr Karleen Edwards says it will create clear accountability, leadership, improve services and empower staff to make decisions to keep the rebuild on track, but it's too early to talk redundancies.

"We're really at the design phase. This restructure is actually about getting our organisation fit for the future."

The Public Service Association said Christchurch City Council employees are nervous.

The PSA represents 900-council employees, and National Secretary Erin Polaczuk said they feel like the rug has been pulled out from underneath them.

"What we're hearing from them now is that they're feeling really insecure about what the future might hold. And we would hope that any idea of a restructure would include some very very tight communication and consultation."