Redcliffs Park and Redcliffs School Proposed Land Swap

It is proposed that Redcliffs Park is sold to the Ministry of Education for relocation of Redcliffs School and that the school site is managed by the Council as a recreation reserve.

Project status: Decision made
Open for feedback: 29 May 2017 to 26 June 2017

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Consultation has now closed

Consultation on Redcliffs Park and Redcliffs School Proposed Land Swap has now closed. People were able to provide feedback from 25 May to 26 June, 2017.

During this time we heard from 849 individuals and groups. A Hearings Panel received deputations on Monday 7 August and deliberated on Friday 11 August. You can read the minutes which outline the Panels' recommendation to Council to approve the land swap. On Thursday 7 September 2017, Council resolved to adopt the recommendations of the Hearings Panel, including the recommendation that the land swap be approved. The full list of the Panel's recommendations can be found within its report, which is at Item 23 (page 253) of the Agenda(external link).

The minutes of the Council meeting will be available by 12 September 2017 at this link: christchurch.infocouncil.biz(external link) but the meeting was recorded and is now available to view online(external link). You can also read the Newsline article(external link) for more details. 


 

Background

Following the earthquakes, Redcliffs School has been unable to operate at its site at 140 Main Road.

Since June 2011, staff and pupils from the school have been based at the Van Asch Deaf Education Centre, Sumner. Buses are provided between Redcliffs and Sumner, for the 180 pupils aged 5-13.

The Ministry of Education (MoE) will not re-open the school on its current site and propose moving the school to Redcliffs Park.

The MoE has asked that Christchurch City Council consider swapping Redcliffs Park for the similarly sized school site, to enable this to occur.

It is proposed that the land from the current school site be transferred to the Department of Conservation and managed by the Council as a recreation reserve. Redcliffs Park would become the new location for the school.

Details of proposed land swap

  • Redcliffs Park (area A) - We propose agreeing to the use of this Crown-owned land being changed, from a recreation reserve to a school, under section 52(1) of the Public Works Act.
  • Redcliffs Park (area B and C) - We propose selling these two parcels of land to the MoE,  under the Public Works Act, for full market value (yet to be negotiated).
  • Redcliffs School site - We propose accepting this Crown-owned land for use as a recreation reserve and accept control and management of the land, under section 28 of the Reserves Act.
Redcliffs Park and Redcliffs School proposed land swap areas

Redcliffs Park and Redcliffs School proposed land swap areas

Redcliffs School site

The MoE has opted to move Redcliffs School from its current site. Some of the land at the current site is unusable due to the risk of rockfall and will be transferred to Land Information New Zealand.

The remaining 18431m²  will provide sufficient room to relocate both sports fields from Redcliffs Park and accommodate informal recreational activity (see indicative plan below).

The school playground, parking and many of the existing trees can be retained. However, a new toilet block would need to be constructed.

Redcliffs school current site

Redcliffs School land suitable for recreation reserve (blue) and land transferred to Land Information New Zealand (red)

Redcliffs Park site

Redcliffs Park is 19071m² and is used primarily for soccer during winter on an intermediate and junior sized field. Close to the Main Road entrance there is a small children's playground and toilet block, as well as a pavilion which is closed due to earthquake damage.

The MoE carried out an in-depth feasibility study looking at where Redcliffs School could be relocated and Redcliffs Park was the preferred option due to its size, location within the Redcliffs community and ease of access. The MoE propose locating school buildings on the elevated southern section of the park.

Given the required floor area for the primary school development it is likely that some building footprint may extend into the existing playing fields area. To find out more information about about the site you can read the Ministry of Education due diligence reports on Redcliffs Park(external link).

The school would become operational by Term Three, 2019.

Redcliffs Park site

Redcliffs Park area A (Crown-owned), B and C (Council-owned)

Come talk to the team

Community drop in sessions are taking place at these locations:

  • Redcliffs School bus area (Main Road site) Tuesday 6 June, 2.45pm - 3.45pm
  • Redcliffs Bowling Club Wednesday 7 June, 5pm - 6.30pm
  • Redcliffs Park Saturday 10 June, 10.30am - 11.30am

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How the decision is made

  • Decision made