Media Release: From Christchurch Civic Trust and Historic Places Canterbury
Tuesday 10th Feb 2015

Victoria Square
Letter to Rt Hon John Key Prime Minister of New Zealand
From
Mark Gerrard, Chair Historic Places Canterbury &
Neil Roberts, Chair Christchurch Civic Trust

The letter requests that John Key as Prime Minister personally intervene and instruct the Christchurch Central Development Unit (CCDU) to halt all work on the revamp of Victoria Square.

John Key is requested to instruct CCDU to only repair/remediate the current and successful Victoria Square.

The proposed $7 million spend is a wasteful use of Taxpayer’s money. The residents of Christchurch are grateful for the resources provided by Central Government consider the revamp of Victoria Square is not Earthquake Recovery and the resources would be better spent on more urgent work.

The Residents of Christchurch, prominent citizens, media commentators and City Councillors are vigorous in their ongoing opposition to CCDU’s proposed revamp of Victoria Square.

We, along with the Christchurch Residents have no confidence in a CCDU managed “engagement “ which based on past experience will seek commentary/feedback on their proposed plans for the revamp and then do what they want anyway.

Taxpayer resources are wasted by CCDU developing plans that will require the cutting down of Victoria Square’s mature green trees. Christchurch residents are asking how moving Victoria Square’s Bowker fountain approxiamately10 meters can be Earthquake Recovery? Questions are being asked why Victoria Square is being included in the Avon River Precinct when it is a distinct entity on its own.

The Residents of Christchurch were not consulted at the beginning and are appalled that CCDU is determined to convert a much loved leafy green award wining iconic central city refuge into what is effectively an Event Staging Area.

Residents are asking why is CCDU determined to destroy a much loved public space that has survived the Earthquakes when much of the central city has been destroyed. Has there not been enough destruction and why is CCDU contributing to it?

The John Key letter is part of the “Victoria Square: No Need For Change” Campaign.
Facebook: “Victoria Square: No Need For Change”

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Dear Prime Minister,

We the undersigned send this letter on behalf of the Christchurch Civic Trust, Historic Places Canterbury and the Residents of Christchurch.

We are requesting formally that you personally intervene and arrange for the Central City Development Unit (CCDU) to be instructed to halt the development of plans, engagement etc. for their proposed revamp of Christchurch’s Victoria Square.
We request the Central City Development Unit (CCDU) be instructed to arrange only for the remediation and repair and ensure that the current and successful Victoria Square design is retained.

Victoria Square with its heritage, trees and award winning design is an iconic space that is much loved by the residents of Christchurch. Victoria Square is not broken does not need to be changed. The Residents of Christchurch, prominent citizens, media commentators, City Councillors are vigorous in their ongoing opposition to CCDU’s proposed revamp of Victoria Square.

There are many reasons for scrapping the CCDU proposed revamp of Victoria Square:

o The proposed $7 million spend is a wasteful use of Taxpayer’s money. The residents of Christchurch whilst grateful for the resources provided by Central Government consider the revamp of Victoria Square is not Earthquake Recovery and the resources would be better spent on more urgent work.

o The Residents of Christchurch, prominent citizens, media commentators and City Councillors are vigorous in their ongoing opposition to CCDU’s proposed revamp of Victoria Square.

o We, along with the Christchurch Residents have no confidence in a CCDU managed “engagement “ which based on past experience will seek commentary/feedback on their proposed plans for the revamp and then do what they want anyway.

o Taxpayer resources are wasted by CCDU developing plans that will require the cutting down of Victoria Square’s mature green trees. Christchurch residents are asking how moving Victoria Square’s Bowker fountain approxiamately10 metres can be Earthquake Recovery. Questions are being asked why Victoria Square is being included in the Avon River Precinct when it has a distinct entity of its own.

o The Residents of Christchurch were not consulted at the beginning and are appalled that CCDU is determined to convert a much loved leafy green award wining iconic central city refuge into what is effectively an Event Staging Area.

o Residents are asking why is CCDU determined to destroy a much loved public space that has survived the Earthquakes when much of the central city has been destroyed. Has there not been enough destruction and why is CCDU contributing to it?

Prime Minister, your intervention to put a halt on all redevelopment of Victoria Square will be perceived as the Government finally listening to the Christchurch Resident’s wishes and acting in an appropriate manner. The residents of Christchurch cannot understand why CCDU would waste precious taxpayer resources by cutting down mature trees and moving heritage statues and a fountain when there are more important repairs to be made. In short Victoria Square is not broken and does not need to be revamped.

Kind Regards

Neil Roberts

Chair Christchurch Civic Trust

Mark Gerrard

Chair Historic Places Canterbury

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