Living Christchurch campaign targets green issues

Quality of life is the key concern for a new group, Living Christchurch, which will contest local body elections in the city next year. Living Christchurch will field a team of candidates in the city council, community board, regional council and district health board elections.

Spokesperson Paul de Spa, currently a member of the Spreydon/Heathcote Community Board, said that the Living Christchurch campaign would focus on building strong local communities in a healthy environment.

"We'll be raising issues such as improving air quality and reducing traffic congestion; how the city deals with its waste water; creating safe, people-friendly streets; and better protection of open spaces through environmentally-conscious development, " said Mr de Spa.

"Underlying this is the need to develop a better understanding of and participation in civic activities by the people of Christchurch," he said.

Living Christchurch is a broad-based group which is currently inviting expressions of interest from potential candidates and supporters. The group includes some Greens, and others who are independent of any political party.

"We're looking forward to next year's elections. The Living Christchurch team will offer fresh thinking, fresh faces and fresh approaches to the major issues our city is facing," said Mr de Spa.

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