Media release

April 13, 2012

For immediate release

More than 18,500 sign petition for Avon River red zone park

More than 18,500 people have signed the petition to create a reserve and river park on the Avon River residential red zone land, which will be presented to Parliament early next month.

The petition, organised by the Avon-Otakaro Network (AvON), closed at the end of March and the official count was released today.

AvON spokesman Evan Smith said a few signatures might still be posted in before AvON presented the petition on the steps of Parliament on May 2, but the official count for now was 18,647.

“This is the result of a tremendous effort by a small group of dedicated volunteers,” he said. “They have given up a lot of their time over the past months to ensure Christchurch people can make their wishes for this land heard.

“And we have been overwhelmed by the incredibly positive response as we have been out collecting – all our volunteers report that more than 80% of people approached have signed the petition.”

Among those signing the petition were Labour leader David Shearer, former leader Phil Goff and MPs Ruth Dyson, Clayton Cosgrove and Rino Tirikatene. Green Party co-leader Russel Norman, and MPs Kennedy Graham, Gareth Hughes and Eugenie Sage have also signed.

And Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker has personally endorsed the concept of the Avon-Otakaro River Park, calling it “a great vision”.

Mark Gibson of AvON will travel to Wellington with AvON supporters and former red zone residents Allan and Helen Campbell – whose Bexley home of 48 years was destroyed by the February 22 earthquake – to present the petition to MPs Lianne Dalziel and Eugenie Sage on the steps of Parliament.

Ms Dalziel, also a red zone resident, will sponsor the petition into Parliament.

“There is no doubt at all that the desire for this land to become a reserve and river park is extremely strong,” said Mr Smith.

“Christchurch people want to ensure no future generations have to experience the same heartache this generation of homeowners has endured. They also want to return nature to the heart of Christchurch, and they want to create an ecological and economic asset that will breathe life and prosperity back into this damaged land and the communities surrounding it for years to come.”

ENDS

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