Red zone trekking given green light
‘‘I think this is a recognition by the authorities that some interim use of the land is going to have to be permitted to communities.’’ AvON co-chairman Evan Smith
A community group hosting walks through Christchurch’s residential red zone hopes it will lead to more access into the abandoned expanse of the city.
The Avon-Otakaro Network (AvON) has scheduled a series of walks over two weeks, starting with a stroll through some of the city’s riverside heritage areas.
More than 40 people took part in the first event.
AvON co-chairman Evan Smith said the walks were the first community event the group was aware of that had been approved, either by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority or Land Information New Zealand (Linz).
Linz allowing the use of the land possibly signalled greater freedoms for groups to use the space before it was permanently regenerated, he said.
‘‘People have been allowed to walk on bits of the red zone – though it’s very unclear from the signage what you can walk on and what you can’t walk on – but there’s been no events, as such, that have been sanctioned.
‘‘I think this is a recognition by the authorities that some interim use of the land is going to have to be permitted to communities.’’
Smith said the treks would give people a better appreciation of the size and ‘‘the cultural and community history’’ of the red zone, making them better informed to decide on its permanent future use.
‘‘A lot of people aren’t aware just how big they [the red zone areas] are.
‘‘When it comes to contributing ideas about what to do in there, unless you’ve walked it or have some sense of it, then it’s very hard to make an informed decision about what you’d like to see.’’
AvON became known in recent years for its goal of turning the red zone into an eco-reserve and multipurpose city-to-sea AvonOtakaro River park.
More information about the Breeze Walking Festival can be found on the Christchurch City Council website.