Community expo to start sharing ideas on Central City

Christchurch residents are being asked to start sharing their ideas for the redevelopment of Christchurch’s earthquake-damaged Central City at a community expo next month.

At the CBS Arena on Saturday 14 May and Sunday 15 May, the community expo is one of the first opportunities for the Greater Christchurch community to start sharing their ideas about how thay want their Central City to develop during the next 10 to 20 years.

Mayor Bob Parker says he encourages all residents to take part in the weekend

“We need everyone’s ideas if we are to create a Central City where people want to live, work and play. The economic and social success of Christchurch relies on us having a vibrant and prosperous Central City, and we can only have that if everyone shares their ideas.

“There will be lots of different views and opinions, and not all ideas will be able to be implemented, but if we are to re-create a strong Central City where residents want to spend their time, tourists want to visit and businesses want to invest, we need to know everyone’s ideas and thoughts,” he says.

“From this wealth of ideas, we will develop the draft Central City Plan to reflect our community’s vision for their Central City.”

Following the Community Expo, a range of a stakeholder workshops, panel discussions, focus groups and social media events will be organised to keep conversations going during the next two months and everyone sharing even more ideas, Mr Parker says.

The community has until the end of June to share their ideas before the draft Central City Plan is written, and in line with Government legislation, is released for formal public consultation. During this phase, he says the public will be asked to comment on the content of the Plan, through submissions and taking part in Council hearings.

The Central City Plan will be presented to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) in December for sign off.

The community expo is on Saturday 14 May and Sunday 15 May from 10am to 5pm at the CBS Arena.