Council adopts historic Central City Plan

The final draft Central City Plan for Ministerial Approval was adopted by today’s (15 December) last Christchurch City Council meeting for 2011.

Mayor Bob Parker said it was a historic day for the city and an important first step on the road to recovery for the Central City.

“Our city has seen much tragedy this year but I’m proud of our community in the resilience, compassion and tenacity it has shown to look to the future and work with the Council to create a vision to redevelop and rebuild the Central City.”

Council was unanimous in its endorsement of the Plan which elected members and Council staff have spent the last eight months developing in partnership with the community, key stakeholders and its partners Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, CERA and ECan.

“It has been an intense process but one of the most critical plans developed for Christchurch, since the city was settled in 1850. What we have is a framework of more than 70 projects which will ensure Christchurch is redeveloped as one of the most modern, green cities in the world.”

He says Council is committed to building a new convention centre, a new central library and a new metro sports facility; developing and celebrating the Avon River/Ōtakaro as the city’s riverfront park; greening Cathedral Square; creating a vibrant Compact CBD; investigating a commuter rail network; and making it easier to get to and move about a safer Central City, along with a range of other projects, incentives and programmes to redevelop the area.

“While the Plan requires the Minister’s approval, and individual projects will need to be carefully considered through the Long-Term Plan and Annual Plan processes, the Council has sent a strong signal about those elements that it needs to deliver to bring confidence back to the Central City.”

The Plan will be presented to the Minister for Earthquake Recovery next Wednesday 21 December for consideration. At the same time, the Council will notify the Plan, on behalf of the Minister, for further written comments.

The final draft Plan, also known as the Recovery Plan for the Christchurch CBD under the CER Act, will be available on the Council’s website – www.ccc.govt.nz – and copies can be viewed at Christchurch City Libraries and the Council’s Service Centres from Wednesday 21 December.

All written comments must be sent to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, Private Bag 4999, Christchurch 8140 or emailed to CBDrecoveryplan@cera.govt.nz