Media Release

29 February 2012

For immediate release


Labour backs park for residential red zone

Labour leader David Shearer is backing a petition to turn the Avon River red zone into a reserve and river park.

Mr Shearer, former leader Phil Goff and Canterbury-based MPs Ruth Dyson (conservation spokesperson), Clayton Cosgrove and Rino Tirikatene (tourism spokesperson), all signed the petition on the first anniversary of the February 22 quake last week.

Caption 1: Labour Leader David Shearer signs the AvON petition on the bank of the Avon River during last week’s anniversary of the February 22 earthquake.

The petition asks Parliament “to work with the people and local authorities of Christchurch to turn the Avon River red zone into a reserve and river park when the home owners have to leave the area”.

Mr Shearer said he supported the efforts of the Avon-Otakaro Network (AvON) which is campaigning to establish the reserve and river park.

"Avon-Otakaro Park would give the people of Christchurch and visitors to the region a nature reserve they can treasure and enjoy forever,” he said. “It would also be a peaceful haven where they can come to remember those whose lives have been changed forever by the earthquakes.

“It is an idea driven by the local community with a passion for the environment and a vision for the future of the place they love."

AvON spokesman Evan Smith said the group was delighted with the support of the Labour leader and MPs.

“This campaign is non-partisan,” he said. “Our supporters come from across the political spectrum, and we’re delighted to get official support of politicians from any party.

“As Mr Shearer recognises, this is a community-driven campaign. All our members are people who live in and/or love Christchurch. They are passionate about creating an environmental, social and economic asset for this city that generations to come will thank us for.”

The petition also has Green Party support, with Greens co-leader Russel Norman and several other MPs signing last November.

Mr Smith said AvON did not know the exact number of signatures on the petition, as many forms were still out in the community. However, there were more than 13,000 signatures on the forms in its possession.

The petition closes on March 31. People can find out how to sign the petition at www.avonotakaronetwork.co.nz
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Ends

Notes for editors

AvON is a not-for-profit group. Its vision is to “establish a community-driven science-informed living memorial to rejuvenate and nurture the long-term environmental, economic, community and spiritual wellbeing of the eastern suburbs and of those living throughout greater Christchurch. Our aim is to turn a tragedy into an opportunity, a polluted drain into a vibrant river system, and exhaustion and despair into hope and inspiration.”

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