Upgrading roads around Christchurch stadium no longer 'paused', despite mayor's moves to delay project
From reporter Steven Walton:
Work has resumed on a hotly-debated $33 million upgrade to roads around Christchurch's planned stadium.
Residents now have until the end of the month to share their views on the project.
More than 850 submissions have already been made – making the project the council’s second most popular consultation of the year. The future of the stadium itself was the most popular.
The $33m upgrade has not been supported by new mayor Phil Mauger, who has suggested the money would be better spent fixing roads in the east or going towards the $683m cost of the stadium.
Nearly two weeks ago, the council said work on the project was paused and Mauger said that was a consequence of his wish to not proceed with the work.
On Tuesday, the newly-elected council was briefed behind closed doors about the project.
Council chief executive Dawn Baxendale said the briefing to the council explained the project will improve pedestrian safety and traffic management while also replacing “outdated” three waters networks around the stadium.
Following the briefing, work on the project has resumed.
That means the public consultation can be finished and staff can consider the responses.
A council spokesperson said staff would then make changes to the proposal where it can. After that, it will make a recommendation to a hearings panel that is expected to convene in February next year.
The panel will then make a final recommendation to the council in March, when the council will effectively decide whether the project continues.
The Christchurch City Council launched consultation on the scheme on the first day of Mauger’s mayoralty and released its proposed plans covering Lichfield, Madras, Tuam and Barbadoes streets.
Footpaths would be widened to up to 5.8m on some streets, speeds lowered to 10kph or 30kph, car parks taken away and room allowed for cycle lanes, gardens and outdoor dining.
But businesses along one of the routes were not happy with the plans, as they did not want to lose parking.
The two options for Lichfield St involve the loss of some, or all 72, car parks.
The council’s consultation document said the upgrades were designed to cater for large influxes of traffic and pedestrians attending events at the stadium, Te Kaha.
If approved, the work would start some time next year and be completed by 2026, when Te Kaha is due to open.
Mauger said in October he wanted to delay the work on the surrounding streets until after the stadium was built.
“I would rather, as a ratepayer, drive down the streets as they are and pay that $24m (sic) off the stadium.”
While Mauger said the cost was $24m, the council’s consultation document said it was $33m.
Mauger said the work should be done, but only “when people come and we get more money”.
“You’ve got to cut your cloth to suit the budget.”
Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
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89.3% Yes, it's fair
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9.9% No, it's unreasonable
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0.8% Other - I'll share below
House fire causing road closures
Pages Road is closed this afternoon from Breezes Road, this is due to a house that has caught fire in the area.
Coastal Ward Community Board member, Alex Hewison, shared the closure on a local Facebook page.
Fire and Emergency are at the scene but further details have not been shared at this stage.
Avoid the area where possible.
Have your say on Canterbury’s public transport
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Canterbury residents are being encouraged to have their say on public transport in the region.
Environment Canterbury has released its draft public transport plan and is seeking submissions.
The draft plan outlines a vision for public transport in the region and notes key priorities such as improving the environment, growing patronage, accessibility, innovation and technology, and affordability.
‘‘Public transport takes many forms with communities across our region,’’ councillor Peter Scott said.
‘‘With limited funding available, we need to make sure we make the best decisions to deliver a public transport network that is integrated with urban development, innovative and meets the needs of new and existing customers.
‘‘Effective public transport is the lifeline that connects us to work, school, recreation and our friends and family, so it is important we get this right.’’
The Canterbury’s population is growing and by 2050, it is projected 700,000 people will be living in Greater Christchurch.
The draft plan covers public transport for the region, which includes the Metro service (Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri), MyWay by Metro in Timaru, Total Mobility and Community Vehicle Trusts.
It was developed in partnership with local councils and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
Environment Canterbury has been planning to step up its public transport efforts by increasing the frequency of existing services and introducing mass rapid transport in Greater Christchurch.
But these plans have been stalled by a lack of public transport funding in the Government’s 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme.
A proposal to allow people to travel with domestic pets is also included in the draft plan.
Having pets on buses has been successfully trial in other parts of New Zealand, councillor Joe Davies said.
‘‘We’re keen to understand what controls are needed for our bus users in Greater Christchurch and Timaru to be comfortable with pets on public transport.
It is proposed to allow adult passengers to bring a single pet on board, as long it is in an approved carrier at off-peak times, weekdays between 9am and 3pm or after 6pm, and during weekends.
Another proposal would loosen those restrictions in future to allow for leashed and muzzled dogs and increasing the limit to two pets per passenger.
‘‘We want to gauge how people feel about these proposals. Now is the time to have your say,’’ Davies said.
Submissions close on Thursday, October 24.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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