Media Release: Clean green natural amenities top community wish-list for the east
Embargoed until 5am, 31 October 2014

Initial analysis of the feedback from EVO::SPACE shows a very strong preference for east Christchurch to become the clean green environmental playground of the city.

EVO::SPACE was the community engagement website hosted by Eastern Vision a group of community leaders promoting a strong community voice in the recovery plans for the east.

The site was open for feedback on more than forty proposals for several weeks earlier this year.

In a report of the initial findings, the top five proposals in terms of community support were: eastern cycleway and walkway network at number 1; followed by Avon-Ōtākaro River Park; natural playground network; new wetlands for water management; and the proposal for an eco-sanctuary.

Despite being a late entry proposed by a member of the public, the natural playground network received overwhelming support very rapidly.

“The natural playground proposal goes hand in glove with the other popular proposals so this high level of support is not surprising”, says Peter Beck convenor of Eastern Vision.

The proposal for an international flat water sports lake is listed next in popularity followed by the revitalisation of New Brighton and the two proposals for aquatic facilities in the east: the Eastern Recreation & Sport Centre and the Legacy Hot Saltwater Pool complex.

The most popular ideas all involve residential red zone land along the Avon River. Almost two-thirds of participants excluded remediating this land for residential use as an option and overall this ranked among the lowest priorities for the recovery of the east.

There was acceptance that there would be additional costs to the public to carry out the favoured proposals.

The lowest priority of respondents was keeping re-developments cost neutral with evidence that ‘the most popular proposals are highly valued to the point where there may be an appetite for a targeted rate or tax to help fund them.’

“This is a valuable piece of work which we hope will strongly influence the decisions of both central and local government when they consider options for the recovery of the east.

“It is important that the community’s views are respected in this and that they continue to be active participants in the decision making”, says Beck.

The website address is http://evospace.co.nz. This programme is funded by the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust: “Tomorrow starts here”.

ENDS

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