Regenerate Gets Two Green Thumbs up!

The recent 'green spine' announcement from Regenerate Christchurch is a shot in the arm for community groups, volunteers and residents who have been asking for this outcome for a long time.

Greening the Red Zone's co-chair Celia Hogan says her group is “ecstatic with the decision, and acknowledge that it has not been an easy road for Regenerate Christchurch”, who have sifted through literally thousands of suggestions. But given that polls have consistently shown around 80% of respondents want greening, she believes Regenerate have got it right.

Our humble river red zone now holds the promise of flood-mitigating green infrastructure and water-cleansing wetlands, increased social wellbeing and healthy recreation. It will be the connective tissue between the city and the neglected east, a green commuter route, a place to play and unwind - and key to restoring our waterways and native biodiversity. There is literally no down-side.

It is a huge space too – more than three times Hagley Park – so there is plenty of room for recreational, entrepeneurial and community projects that best compliment the focus on nature that Regenerate is suggesting.

The consultation isn't over, but the fact that nature is going to figure highly in the decision-making going forward is extremely encouraging.

This is a vision of Christchurch we can take into the future - a vision that responds to sea-level rise and a changing climate. A vision of a greener, cleaner city that respects and fosters its natural heritage. A vision that truly regenerates Christchurch.
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