Community spirit revives Lyttelton
This series looks at quake-damaged Christchurch spots that are the subjects of city council master plans. In the final article we look at how Lyttelton has bounced back.
Lyttelton has its own council master plan, but its community is just as responsible for giving the town its postearthquake mojo. Of all the locales profiled in
Spotlight on Suburbs, Lyttelton stands out as one of the fastest to find its feet again.
A third of its main street buildings sustained ‘‘heavy damage’’ on February 22, 2011 and some lots sit empty today.
But its main street is a bustling bohemian quarter of refurbished public facilities and green spaces, niche cafes and bars, boutique retailers and a thriving weekend market.
The council is responsible for part of Lyttelton’s revival, but its people have put in the hard yards too.
The community was responsible for a marketing and attraction campaign, London St Wifi, relocation of the farmer’s market and the Lyttelton Community Emergency Action Plan.
Project Lyttelton has been a key part of the revival and chairwoman Margaret Jefferies is delighted by her town’s redevelopment.
‘‘It’s a long time since the earthquakes and you get tired of the conversation, so you’re sort of moving on and thinking about where you’re moving to.
‘‘To a certain extent you’ve forgotten what things were like a wee bit before, but I think actually things are moving along really well here in Lyttelton.
‘‘A lot of people who are in individual houses would say ‘no, no, no’ . . . there’s that angst . . . my overall impression is that it’s happening quite nicely,’’ Jefferies said.
The library, recreation centre and a space for the council to meet were all back, she said.
‘‘To me it’s got a nice feel that things are happening.
‘‘Some of the things that Project Lyttelton is involved with that has helped that process is the farmers market, so the farmers market before the earthquake was up in the school and we’ve now brought it down into the main street.
‘‘Another aspect of Project Lyttelton is its time bank and that . . . has been huge in getting people on board doing different things to move things along.’’
Jefferies, who is part of a savings pool, said people were ‘‘thinking and realising they can do a lot of stuff themselves’’.
‘‘They don’t have to wait for authorities to come in and bestow things or give the OK, people collectively can do a lot together,’’ she said.
Lyttelton Supervalue supermarket owner Rob De Thier said there was a level of excitement about the development happening in Lyttelton.
‘‘The houses that come up for sale in Lyttelton last about a week on the market. That shows us people are still really keen to live in Lyttelton.’’
De Thier, who is also the Lyttelton Harbour Business Association chairman, said there were still some vacant buildings and empty plots in the town’s centre but redevelopments were gaining momentum.
‘‘I just think there is a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of heart in Lyttelton.’’
Council head of urban design, urban regeneration and heritage Carolyn Ingles said the Lyttelton Master Plan contained thirty-one actions.
The council had funded private and community-led projects and provided recovery and rebuild-related advice through case management services.
Repaired, renovated and reopened facilities included Lyttelton Information Centre, Norman Kirk Memorial Pool, Lyttelton Recreation Centre and the combined Lyttelton Library and Service Centre. New facilities included Albion Square and Lyttelton Community Boardroom.
The Replacement District Plan included provisions for public event opportunities on London St, including the Lyttelton Farmers Market.
Advice and grants were provided for the repair of The Loons and for a number of other heritage buildings.
‘‘The council has also recently approved in principle the gifting of the former Lyttelton Service Centre site at 33-35 London St for the rebuilding of the Lyttelton Historic Museum, subject to community consultation,’’ Ingles said.
Rebuilds included Kingswood Skis and the fire station, while St Saviour’s Chapel was relocated.
Private developments yet to get underway included a London St microbrewery and Dublin St offices.
However, pedestrian linkages in the block bounded by Norwich Quay and Canterbury, London and Oxford streets were yet to be funded.
‘‘Improvements to the on-street parking arrangements and streetscape on London St has been delayed at the community’s request; they were concerned about possible business disruption,’’ Ingles said.
The Lyttelton Historical Museum Society was working towards re-establishing the Lyttelton Historical Museum.