By Corazon Miller
The blueprint designed to put the heart back into the garden city’s CBD is out. It has been heralded on one hand as an ambitious plan and lambasted by others for taking the focus away from those in the earthquake-damaged suburbs.
The plans for our city’s future are undeniable pretty, with the proposed “green” frame around a small compact inner-city core including a state-of-the-art stadium, metro sports facility, a performing arts precinct and a new convention centre.
But in the days after the Christchurch City Development Unit (CCDU) released its plans on July 30, among the words of praise, questions were also being raised around funding logistics and the situation in the seemingly forgotten suburbs.
A step forward
Politicians at the blueprint’s official launch heralded the new plan, saying it was a step to a bigger and brighter future for Christchurch.
Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee gave his stamp of approval; “I am very pleased to endorse the blueprint the CCDU have created, I believe this is the start of a hugely exciting future for our city.”
Prime Minister John Key affirmed Mr Brownlee’s statement, labelling it an exciting step towards rebuilding and recovering the garden city. “Many lives were tragically lost and thousands of homes and buildings destroyed in the earthquake on February 22 last year. This redevelopment of the city will be a testament to the past as well as an important step to the future.”
He added the end result will be a new Christchurch, built on the foundation of ideas provided by those who live, work and play there; adapted to ensure the city can be accessed and enjoyed by all who visit.
What about the rest?
But for some, this was not enough. As the launch was happening, outside the civic offices a group of impassioned protestors were chanting for the politicians to act on their word.
The TC3 Residents Group had gathered and were calling for action, acknowledging that a vibrant and economically viable city is indeed needed, but such a disparity between the recovery of the CBD and the suburbs
is unfathomable.
Spokesperson for the group Kiri Hider points out the suburbs have been seriously neglected and while committed and continued energy has been spent on a blueprint for the city, the suburbs are decaying further.
“It is difficult to understand the importance placed on a roof for a stadium when the roof over our own head is so uncertain. It is heartbreaking that our elderly in TC3 wait, knowing that their homes will probably not be fixed in their lifetime and yet a convention centre is identified as a priority. When did commercial necessity become more important than people? Why can’t the suburban recovery take place at a rate that parallels that of the CBD?”
Mr Brownlee, while not speaking directly to the protestors, told those gathered inside at the launch that the cries of TC3 were welcome. “On a day we are announcing moving forward, there are people who are gathered announcing that we are not moving fast enough… that shows passion and that is good.”
Mr Key also took a moment to acknowledge the voices of those in the suburbs saying they were not forgotten and plans were being made for them, but this plan for the CBD was imperative to create an economic and cultural fabric for the city.
Magnetic attraction
Indeed a number of business folk have spoken out in favour, labelling the plan as a bold and innovative design to put Christchurch back on the global map – for the right reasons.
Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism CEO Tim Hunter is of the opinion the rebuild will put Christchurch on track to becoming one of the greatest cities in Australasia. “This blueprint sets out a very clear vision for the central city and really shapes Christchurch as a city of the 21st century – a place where everyone will want to come and stay,” Mr Hunter says.
“It keeps the best of the Garden City’s urban layout our forefathers created, enhancing the ‘city in a garden’ image by adding more parks and by shrinking the size of the CBD into a more compact, people-friendly space…few other cities in the world would have as many top-class facilities within such a small geographical area.”
Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings points out the plan will provide numerous economic benefits, helping businesses in Canterbury to get back on track. He says the blueprint will provide the necessary infrastructure and certainty that businesses are looking for. “We see the announcement as a very positive step forward which will provide the momentum for businesses to re-establish or grow their operations in the Christchurch area.”
Business dealing
It is these businesses Mr Key said would benefit from the anchor projects. “We are announcing these anchor projects to provide certainty to the private sector, which is interested in investing in other projects around them such as hotels, restaurants and retail developments,” he says.
BusinessNZ CEO Phil O’Reilly says the new urban centre will certainly be a significant area for businesses. He says to make the most of the opportunity it is important businesses are fully involved in the development. Mr O’Reilly points out negotiation between parties will be important in order to maximise such business engagement.
“Governance arrangements that are fit for purpose are required so that business is treated fairly in the process and is best able to contribute to the development,” he says. “Private investors are being sought now and they are likely to provide the bulk of the investment for the new development.”
Mr Key says the Government will ultimately take responsibility for funding the areas in which it holds primary responsibility. “For those anchor projects where the Government has the primary responsibility such as the hospital redevelopment, justice and emergency precinct and education facilities, we will get on and get them done for the good of the city,” he said.
However he says the other anchor projects which are more in the nature of civic assets, such as the stadium, convention centre and metro sports facility, will need to be worked out between the Christchurch City Council and the private sector.
But money doesn’t grow on trees…
It is this uncertainty as to how and where the money for these civic assets will come from that has generated some reticence within the Green Party.
“I have asked for information about discussions between Minister Gerry Brownlee and the Christchurch City Council on selling the city’s assets but that information has been withheld by the Minister,” Green Party Christchurch spokesperson Eugenie Sage said shortly after the blueprint’s plans were made public.
“We have received through the OIA (Official Information Act) a Treasury report on cost sharing discussions with the Council that has every word but the title blacked out.
Ms Sage pointed out it is important to know we can afford such an ambitious plan without putting pressure on the city council to sell Christchurch’s well performing assets “Christchurch International Airport, Orion, and Lyttelton Port Company are strategic and regionally important assets. The dividends and revenue stream they pay the Council helps ensure Christchurch rates remain low. Christchurch International Airport provided $16 million in profits attributable to the Council last year, Lyttleton Port Company $19 million, and Orion provided $25.4 million.
“The investment model to achieve our new city centre needs to be one that can maintain these excellent public assets,” she said. “The public want to keep our assets and this great new plan for the city centre can’t come at the cost of that.
The grand plan
Te Puna Ahurea Cultural Centre
A world-class cultural centre is proposed for the central city as a focal point for cultural celebration and diversity. It will reflect and celebrate Ngai Tahu and Maori culture and acknowledge Christchurch’s place and connections within the Pacific region.
The Earthquake Memorial
The memorial will be a place where people can reflect and honour those who died or were injured. It will have local, national and international significance.
Because it is such a significant project, it should begin early, not be rushed, and involve the community. The Ministry of Culture and Heritage, Christchurch City Council, and Ngai Tahu, will work together to identify the site and begin the community consultation and design process.
Convention Centre Precinct
A world-class convention centre will be developed to attract new and exciting events to the city. The precinct will contain a number of buildings that will reactivate surrounding streets and public spaces. It will support retail and hospitality activities within the core, and visitor attractions and services throughout central Christchurch. The convention centre will be an iconic building and change the way people think about convention centres.
It will be able to accommodate several events at one time, initially with space for up to 2000 people in total.
Performing Arts Precinct
A new performing arts recinct is proposed to offer facilities for music and the performing arts. It could include a centre featuring two auditoria of 1500 and 500 seats respectively, and could also include a permanent home for the Court Theatre, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the Music Centre of Christchurch. It will be located at the northern end of the core, and be complemented by many other arts and cultural projects elsewhere in the city.
Metro Sports Facility
The new Metro Sports facility will be a top-class venue and centre of excellence, accessible to people of all ages, abilities and skills. Providing aquatic and indoor sports facilities, it will cater for the day-to-day needs of the recreational, educational and high-performance sporting communities. It will be capable of hosting national and international events.
Stadium
The stadium will be a multipurpose, large-scale venue that can host international events and concerts. Its proposed location is next to the southeast corner of the core. It will be well-connected to main transport routes and within easy walking distance of the central city.
