New vision for city’s green spine

Plans to regenerate Christchurch’s Avon River corridor could see more than half the Government funding earmarked for the project used for new trees and ecological restoration.

The city council wants to spend $25 million on ensuring proposals for a new green spine running through the heart of the city become more than a vision.

At least 150,000 trees would be planted to help create 130 hectares of indigenous forest, land set aside to create large swathes of both freshwater and coastal saline wetlands, and 30 hectares used to develop an ‘‘exotic’’ parkland that would include edible trees.

The environmental goals are part of a decade-long, $40m project to lay the foundations of the

345-hectare green spine through the Avon River corridor, work funded through a $300m pot of Government cash to help accelerate regeneration in the city.

It would mark the beginning of the $800m, 30-year development of the city’s red zone, approved in August by Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods to breathe life into land that has lain derelict since 5500 homes were demolished.

A further $40m set aside for improvements to quake-damaged roads could see up to $30m spent on revamping 138 of Christchurch’s worst streets over the next five years, as well as $5m on overhauling notorious crash blackspots and more money to improve public transport routes.

Roads in Richmond, New Brighton, Linwood, Woolston, Spreydon, Somerfield, Waltham, Beckenham and Riccarton are all likely to get a makeover from

mid-2021, work the council believes could help bring $140m of financial benefit to the city.

Changes to intersections, measures to manage speed and initiatives to improve safety near schools will also receive funding, targeted in hotspots that have seen around 830 accidents since

2013.

Megan Woods

Councillors will consider investment cases for both projects tomorrow, when they will also likely rubber-stamp proposals for a new consultative group to advise the Crown and council on transition projects in the Avon River corridor.

An independent chairman for the 11-strong group – five of them community members – will be appointed in early December, with the group holding its first meeting in April.

Under plans for the red zone, $7.7m would be used to create pathways and connections, including improving the city-tosea cyclepath and widening stopbanks. More than $6.5m would also be set aside for seven ‘‘landings’’ along the river, with shelters, toilets, seating and steps to the water similar to spots in Hagley Park and the central city.

The council also hopes to secure $15m from the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust for three bridges – including a replacement for Medway bridge and another at Snell St – and two further landings.

While approval from Cabinet for funding of the Avon River corridor project could come before Christmas, detailed designs and consenting are needed.

Council strategy and transformation boss Brendan Anstiss said the red-zone plans would give the community and investors ‘‘confidence’’ the benefits of the regeneration plan can be achieved.

‘‘The regeneration of the Avon River corridor is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity,’’ he said.