Financial matters  |  8 Aug 2019

Share this story

Christchurch City Council has endorsed a Global Settlement with the Crown.

The Global Settlement has been drawn-up to resolve aspects of the Cost Sharing Agreement that the Council and the Crown signed in 2013 and to establish a clear path forward.

The Terraces along the Avon River Precinct.

The Avon River Precinct is one of the public realm assets that will be transferred to the Council under the Global Settlement.

“By endorsing the Global Settlement in principle we are putting a line in the sand and enabling the city to move on,’’ says Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

“The Cost Sharing Agreement left open a number of issues that needed to be resolved. This Global Settlement resolves those issues and normalises the relationship in Christchurch between Crown and Council.’’

The Mayor says many of the deputations the Council heard on Tuesday stressed the need for certainty.

“A common message we heard from residents, community groups and the business community was that they want certainty about the Crown and the Council’s roles. They want to make sure we don’t lose momentum in the regeneration of the city. They also see enormous opportunity in the future of the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor.

“Inevitably when you negotiate a Global Settlement of any kind you make some concessions - you never get everything you want. But a Global Settlement allows you to move on and avoid costly and protracted negotiations that may not necessarily produce a better outcome,'' the Mayor says.

Under the Global Settlement:

  • A number of central city public realm assets will be transferred to the Council by the Crown. These include the Bus Interchange, the Metro Sports Facility, the Te Papa Ōtākaro/Avon River Precinct, the Margaret Mahy Family Playground, roading assets, and land for the Performing Arts Precinct.
  • The Council will deliver the Performing Arts Precinct, including the Court Theatre and a carpark.
  • The Crown and the Council will fund improvement works in Cathedral Square, with the Council leading the works.
  • Ownership of Te Pae, the Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre, will remain with the Crown.
  • Ownership, delivery and operation of the Canterbury Multi-Use Arena will be determined through the investment case that is currently being developed.
  • The Council will have the opportunity to buy Crown-owned central city land not needed for anchor projects.
  • Residential red zone land in the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor, the Port Hills, Brooklands and Southshore will be transferred from the Crown to the Council, progressively over the next two years.
  • The Crown will remain responsible for any arrangements with privately owned property in the residential red zone and for liaison with the property owners.
  • Regenerate Christchurch will be asked to prepare and implement a transition plan for its future.

The Global Settlement still needs to be considered by Cabinet.