Red-zone events would be ‘disaster’
Moving major events in Christchurch to the residential red zone would hit the city in the pocket, an event operator says.
The idea has been floated by groups including Hands Off Hagley, which said in a submission to the city’s 2016-17 draft annual plan that the Christchurch City Council and Government could preserve Hagley Park and create a money-making venture in the red zone
City Mayor Lianne Dalziel says some events are already held in the red zone, but Team Event director Callam Mitchell says it will be a disaster if events are moved there. In a statement yesterday, Mitchell said such a move would put his company ‘‘out of business’’ because events would not get the same crowds.
Team Event runs several events in Hagley Park, including the Electric Avenue music festival, which returns this Saturday, the South Island Wine and Food Festival and the Great Kiwi Beer Festival.
‘‘Our surveys show 30 per cent of patrons typically walk to these events,’’ Mitchell said.
‘‘We should be using Hagley Park for events – it’s a massive point of difference that Christchurch has over other New Zealand cities.
‘‘Our park has been used this way for years, dating back to the New Zealand International Exhibition in 1906, which was attended by more than two million people over several months.’’
Independent research showed last year’s Electric Avenue resulted in 1700 paid bed nights and $1.8 million for the local economy. Mitchell said this year’s event would likely generate in excess of $3m, including 3000 bed nights, because of a jump in ticket sales.
‘‘One of the reasons we’re so opposed to the potential of our events being moved to the red zone is there simply isn’t the infrastructure or transport options to move 10,000 people en masse at the beginning or conclusion of each event.
‘‘Given our festivals run from six to 12 hours and involve alcohol being served, the ability to walk home, or on to other bars or restaurants is obviously hugely attractive for our patrons.’’
He said he doubted many people visiting from outside the city would walk from their hotel or motel ‘‘all the way to the red zone’’.
Through a spokeswoman, Dalziel said several events, such as Children’s Day, were already being run in the red zone.
Hands Off Hagley chairman Martin Meehan could not be reached for comment.