15 Nov 2017

The organisation planning for the regeneration of red-zoned land along the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor has found little public support for large-scale residential development on the land.

Regenerate Christchurch sought public feedback last month on 10 possible combinations of uses for the 602 hectares of red-zoned land that runs along the Avon River and stretches from Barbadoes Street through to Bexley and New Brighton.

A stretch of red zoned land along the Otakaro Avon River corridor.

The Ōtākaro Avon River corridor stretches from Barbadoes Street through to Bexley and New Brighton.

It received 1871 responses from individuals and groups with an interest in the future of the area, which is about three-and-a-half times the size of Hagley Park.

The idea of reintroducing residential housing to the regeneration area received more than 400 responses.

While most people did not support any large-scale development, there was support for innovative and adaptable housing.

“A number of people who responded used this engagement to show their support for specific projects,” says Regenerate Christchurch Chief Executive Ivan Iafeta. “As we collate the feedback some common themes are emerging.’’

These include support for ecological restoration, flatwater and whitewater facilities, and eco-sanctuaries.

The proposed land-swap with Avondale and Rāwhiti golf courses was not generally supported.

“Although the idea of a land swap with Avondale and Rāwhiti golf courses appeared in a number of the 10 possible combinations of land uses, it’s not an indication of the weighting given to the idea,” Mr Iafeta says.

“No final decisions have been made regarding the land-swap idea, or any other idea about how the land could be used.”

Regenerate Christchurch will consider all feedback as it refines its shortlist of land use options for the area. A major public exhibition is planned for early next year.

“The exhibited options could be drawn from the 10 combinations, or a mix-and-match of those ideas and land uses,” Mr Iafeta says.

“The exhibition will include design plans for the refined shortlist of land use options, together with information on the costs, benefits and impacts of the land uses. We will give people the opportunity to provide feedback in a range of ways and over a longer timeframe.”

“Although this latest opportunity for public feedback has been an extremely useful way of testing and refining major themes, we see this major exhibition as the most important stage: people can look at the cost and benefits of each option and provide their preferences, and discuss the stages and timeframes to realise the vision,” Mr Iafeta says.

Following the exhibition, Regenerate Christchurch will prepare a draft Regeneration Plan, which will include a preferred land use plan for the area.

The draft Plan will also confirm responsibilities for funding, delivery and governance. It is expected the draft Regeneration Plan will be finalised by the end of 2018.