Thursday 3 October 2013

Key decisions from today’s Council meeting

Christchurch City Council met today with the key decisions made outlined below:

Lyttelton’s civic square site: The Council approved the Lyttelton/Mt Herbert Community Board recommendation to rename Lyttleton’s civic square site as Albion Square and the waharoa (entranceway) is named Ōhinehouroko.

Port Levy Community Hall: The Council agreed to exempt the Port Levy Community Hall from its current building closure policy on the basis that it is not considered dangerous to occupy. This brings the number of buildings exempt from the policy up to seven. The other six exempted on 27 June were Harewood Community Centre, Risingholme Craft Rooms, Duvauchelle Community Hall, Little Akaloa Community Centre, Okains Bay Community Centre and Pigeon Bay Community Centre. The buildings are below 34 per cent of New Building Standard (NBS) but have had little earthquake damage and are not considered dangerous because the low NBS was due to the design of the building not its capacity to withstand future earthquakes.

Lyttelton Recreation Centre: The Council agreed to repair the Lyttelton Recreation Centre to 67 per cent NBS and make significant improvements to the building, including soundproofing and modernising meeting rooms, upgrading the ventilation system, re-roofing the office and squash courts and an improved fit-out.

Norman Kirk Memorial Pool: The Council agreed to replace and rebuild the Lyttelton pool. The pool, which was extensively damaged and is currently closed, will be rebuilt to 100 per cent of NBS combined with some improvements including increasing the size of the toddlers’/children’s pool and installing sun shading.

Waltham Pool: The Council agreed to repair Waltham Pool to 67 per cent of NBS and make a number of upgrades to the pool including signage, landscaping, roofing, re-sizing the plant room, fencing, painting, shade sails and other small improvements.

St Martin’s Opawa Toy Library building: the Council agreed to demolish the former Toy Library building at 65 Sandwich Street, Beckenham. The building is made of unreinforced brick and as such there are very few options for cost effective repair. The previous occupant of the building has alternative temporary accommodation. The neighbouring school has expressed an interest in buying the site post demolition. The cost of demolition will be met from the renewals and replacement budget. Discussion around a replacement facility is ongoing but the Community Board supports the demolition and supports continued engagement with the community, the Toy Library and the St Martin’s Voluntary Library about a possible joint facility in the area.

Sumner Surf Club and toilet block: The Council agreed to enter into a lease with the Crown so that the Sumner Surf Club and toilet block can be rebuilt on their current site. Both the toilet block and the surf club building were demolished post earthquake and the Council’s Facilities Rebuild team has been working with the Surf Club to rebuild a joint facility on the same site. The site of both buildings is Crown land and is maintained by the Council as part of the Sumner beach-front recreation area. The lease is re-confirming existing use.

International Relations Policy: The Council agreed to approve the revised International Relations Policy and to revoke the two current Sister City policies. The revised International Relations Policy aims to enhance Christchurch’s reputation on the international stage, proactively work with other stakeholders, contains a set of principles and goals, and confirms the status of Sister City Committees. It was noted that a review of the Sister City Strategy was recommended to the incoming Council.

Chisnallwood School Lease renewed
The Council approved a lease renewal to Chisnallwood Intermediate School in Takamatua, for their outdoor Recreation Reserve lease. This will allow the school to enjoy and maintain the grounds and buildings there for the next 33 years

Trams on track: The council confirmed a proposal to reopen tram services from New Regent Street via Cathedral Square and Worcester Street to Rolleston Avenue as soon as possible, and to spend $1.57 million extending the tram network along Oxford Terrace and Cashel Street into High Street.

Council to look at remediation for Flood hit area
The Council today has agreed to urgently look at the in remediation plans for flooding in the Dudley Creek/Flockton St flooding area. The Council will engage with all relevant agencies and consider all solutions to flooding issues.

Temporary alcohol bans: The Council resolved to introduce temporary alcohol bans in Addington and Sumner. In Addington, a ban will be enforced on several streets from 9am to 10pm on New Zealand Trotting Cup day, 12 November 2013. In Sumner, a ban will be in place on New Year’s Eve, from 7pm on 31 December 2013, to 7am on 1 January 2014, which falls outside the Thursday-Monday permanent alcohol ban.

Airport Zone Plan Change: Chisnallwood School to adopt and notify a plan change that clarifies what activities can occur in the Special Purpose (Airport) Zone.

Draft Land Use Recovery Plan Actions 2 and 6 recommendations to the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery: The Council approved the recommendation on the Draft Land Use Recovery Plan (LURP) actions relating to the Comprehensive Development Mechanism (previously called the Floating Zone) and Exemplars.

Annual Report 2013: The Council today adopted its Annual Report 2013, outlining the Council’s activities and finances over the past year. The Christchurch City Council Annual Report 2013 will be published on or before 3 November 2013 and will be available online and from Council libraries and service centres.

– Ends –

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