Monday 25 March 2013

Feedback needed on the proposed Coastal Pathway

Christchurch City Council has released the draft Concept Plan for the proposed Christchurch Coastal Pathway for the community to comment on.

The Concept Plan is available to view from Wednesday 27 March in any of the Council's libraries and service centres. It is also available online at www.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay

The final date for written comments is 5pm on Wednesday 17 April 2013.

City Planning Unit Manager Brigitte de Ronde says the six-kilometre, multi-purpose pathway is proposed to connect Ferrymead to Mt Pleasant and on through Redcliffs, finishing at the end of Scarborough Beach in Sumner.

"It will cater for children, pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders and people using scooters and wheelchairs - opening up an area of the coastline for a new audience to enjoy and appreciate.

"Feedback received on the draft Concept Plan will help guide any modifications to the pathway to make sure it delivers a first-rate recreation and leisure experience that everyone can participate in; and whether the Council should fund such a project.

"We are interested in finding out if people support the idea of a coastal pathway, as well as what they think of the proposed route. We are also keen to know what they think about providing enhancements for the Sumner Esplanade, such as beach access and a new deck next to the lifeboat shed," she says.

Mayor Bob Parker says the draft Concept Plan introduces some stunning ideas and new experiences for the area.

"I am particularly impressed with the way the pathway provides a safe and accessible link between coastal communities - giving local residents travel choices with the added benefit of a wonderful coastal backdrop.

"The Christchurch Coastal Pathway Group have been the driving force behind this concept and I congratulate them on the work they have put in to get the coastal pathway this far. The Plan captures the aspirations of local communities and has developed these into an accessible, safe pathway that makes the most of our magnificent coastline.

"We are now at a stage where we need to hear from the wider community and I encourage people to have a look at the Concept Plan and make sure they have their say," he says.
The full and summary Concept Plan and submission form are available from Wednesday 27 March at any of the Council's libraries and service centres. It is also available online at www.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay

The submission form can be:
• emailed to CoastalPathwayPlan@ccc.govt.nz
1 posted to
• Freepost 178
Christchurch Coastal Pathway Concept Plan
Strategy and Planning Group
Christchurch City Council
PO Box 73012
Christchurch 8154

* Hand-delivered to Civic Offices, 53 Hereford Street.

The Council is also holding three drop-in sessions on Saturday 6 April along the pathway's route. People will be able to view the Concept Plan, discuss its content with Council staff and make submissions.

Look out for a Council van parked at the following locations:

• McCormacks Bay Reserve (near the Mt Pleasant Community Centre, 3 McCormacks Bay Road) 10am-11am

• Beachville Road, Redcliffs (near Beachville Road Reserve) noon-1pm

• The Esplanade, Sumner (next to the Clock Tower at the Scarborough end of the Esplanade) 2pm-3pm

Two additional drop-in sessions are being held on:

• Wednesday 10 April, Shirley/Papanui Service Centre Community Board Room, corner Restall Street and Langdons Road, Papanui, 4pm-7pm

• Thursday 11 April, Beckenham Service Centre Community Board Room, 66 Colombo Street, Beckenham, 4pm-7pm

To view the Coastal Pathway Concept Plan click here.

To view the Summary Coastal Pathway Concept Plan click here.

For more information visit www.ccc.govt.nz/coastalpathway

Background
Work on the Concept Plan and Feasibility Study for the proposed six-kilometre pathway started in August 2012 as a community partnership between the Council and the Christchurch Coastal Pathway Group. Award-winning landscape architects Wraight Associates were commissioned to lead a multi-disciplinary team to deliver the draft Concept Plan.

The estimated cost of the pathway is around $17 million. This figure includes construction of new sections of boardwalk, seating, lighting and landscaping, but does not cover work currently underway such as Ferrymead Bridge and Main Road three laning, or SCIRT's repair and rebuild programme in the area.

At this initial stage, the Council has made no commitment to the funding or construction of the pathway concept. While the plan outlines specific design elements and treatments for areas along the proposed route it is very much stage one of the project. There are still further investigations that need to be included, such as funding, site investigations and more detail on designs. However, the early delivery of the draft Concept Plan will enable the Christchurch Coastal Pathway Group to move forward with their fundraising.

The Council provided initial funding and project management to enable the project to go ahead. The project budget for this stage was $50,000 which was allocated for this purpose in the Annual Plan.
The Coastal Pathway, from Ferrymead to Sumner, was identified by the Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board as its priority capital project because of its significance to the community and to recovery in the area. The Board granted discretionary response funding for organisational support to the Christchurch Coastal Pathway Group.

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