Key decisions from today's Council meeting

Christchurch City Council met today and made the following key decisions:

Community centre receives $100,000 grant
A grant of $100,000 from the Christchurch Earthquake Mayoral Relief Fund has been approved for the Mt Pleasant Memorial Community Centre and Residents Association Incorporated towards the rebuild of the Mount Pleasant Memorial Community Centre. The association had previously applied to the Council's Community Organisation's Loan Fund for a loan of $340,000 at the rate of 4.5% interest over a 10-year repayment term, but this application was withdrawn as a loan had been secured from another financial institution and the association did not want to service two loans. Association president Derek McCullough told the Council the community centre was likely to open either shortly before or shortly after Christmas this year.

Kaputone Creek to be realigned for ecological reasons
The Council has supported the realignment of Kaputone Creek for ecological reasons and supported the project moving to final design, tender and construction to start before the end of 2015 and completion by the end of 2016. However, it has asked for full financial costings including ongoing maintenance costs and how the capital costs will be apportioned between NZ Transport Agency and the Council before any final decision is made.

Gambling Venue and TAB Policy to remain unchanged
Council voted to retain the existing Gambling Venue and Totalisator Agency Board (TAB) Policy unchanged. As part of a review of the policy, the Council had an option to include a relocation policy which would address the concentration of gaming machine venues in high-deprivation areas. However, the Council decided not to allow venue relocations. The current policy essentially says the Council will not grant consent to allow any increase in the number of pokie machines or gaming venues in the city. It also places no restrictions on the number or location of stand-alone TAB venues in Christchurch.

Council approves heritage and arts funding
The Council approved a Heritage Incentive Grant of up to $345,000 for conservation and maintenance work for the Group 2 heritage building at 24 McDougall Avenue. The grant is subject to compliance with the agreed scope of works and certification of the works on completion. The building owner is the Nurse Maude Association.

The Council also approved a Creative Industries Support Fund grant of $146,377 to assist in the reopening of Canterbury Society of Arts Charitable Trust, trading as CoCA Gallery.

ENDS

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