Thursday 12 September 2013

Draft Main Road Master Plan adopted for public comment

Christchurch City Council today approved the Draft Main Road Master Plan to be released for public comment. The Council-led plan has been prepared to support the recovery and rebuild of the Main Road corridor, from Ferrymead Bridge to Marriner Street in Sumner, in response to the damage caused by the earthquakes.

The Draft Master Plan will be available for community comment in late October/November 2013.

Carolyn Ingles, Urban Design and Regeneration Unit Manager says the Council-led Main Road master planning process has looked into the issues that affect this area and found out what people value, what they want to develop to assist recovery and the distinct identity they want for their area. The plan uses this information to establish a vision and actions that support the local community and incorporates the area’s natural and cultural assets.

“We have a clear steer from the community and amongst the many initiatives, people are keen to see the potential of the estuary and the beach enhanced through accessible, open, well-designed spaces,” Ms Ingles says. “The plan introduces ideas such as enhancing visual links between the centres and the estuary, and the redesign of Scott Park for windsurfing and watersports, to take advantage of its estuary-edge location.

“People have also told us they want to see the two local shopping areas developed as safe, welcoming places to visit and shop, with improved parking, transportation networks and streetscapes. The plan reflects these ideas by proposing streetscape enhancements such as landscaping and integrated seating to unify the Redcliffs village centre . The plan also suggests road design and traffic management measures such as a gateway treatment, traffic speeds and traffic signals.

“The plan aims to reinforce the role of Soleares Avenue / McCormacks Bay as a community hub for the hill suburbs around Mount Pleasant. One of the suggested actions is to rebuild the Mount Pleasant Community Centre and kindergarten on their existing sites, but repositioned to create a centralised, multi-use place for the community to access a range of social and recreational activities. This initiative will also promote dual use of the forecourt space for parking and events, such as the Farmers’ Market,” she says.

Deputy Mayor Ngaire Button says the plan incorporates the views and contributions of the community and builds on the area’s coastal identity and unique history of occupation and settlement.

“It’s about providing improved access and visibility to the things we love about the area – the estuary, the parks and the beach. I am thrilled to see how features and elements of the Coastal Pathway – boardwalks, seating, lighting and landscaping – have been integrated throughout the plan. This creates something pretty special for local residents and a stunning recreation asset for the city.

“The plan is all about creating a liveable, prosperous and vibrant future for this area, and I am confident it does just that,” she says.

The Draft Master Plan as presented to the Council can be found in the agenda of today's meeting on the Council website, go to www.ccc.govt.nz.

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