Tenders for further work on Avon River Precinct

Tenders will be sought in the next few weeks from contractors interested in completing the design and construction of the remaining sections of the Avon River Precinct.

The existing design concepts that have been developed for the Christchurch Central Development Unit (CCDU) by Opus International Consultants will be used as the basis for the further work.

The new design and build contractor will be asked to review and refine the plans to enable the Precinct to be constructed efficiently and within budget, says CCDU Acting Director Baden Ewart.

“As part of the Precinct development we have already completed the largest urban river restoration programme in New Zealand, the Watermark section beside the Antigua Boat Sheds and started construction on the Margaret Mahy Family Playground and The Terraces,” Mr Ewart says.

“The result of this tender process will speed up the work on the remaining parts of the Precinct.”

The remaining work includes the creation of a riverside promenade, as well as urban landscaping and gardens on both sides of the river and along Oxford Terrace from Antigua Street to Manchester Street.

Mr Ewart says the timetable for part of the project has already been adjusted to allow time to address conflicts between the design of The Terraces/promenade and underground issues.

“This has been a painstaking, difficult process because the ground below Oxford Terrace is congested with a myriad of pipes and infrastructure, as well as an historic waterway, and records are not always accurate.”

The remainder of the Avon River Precinct will be progressively completed by the end of 2016, starting with the Margaret Mahy Family Playground in December this year.

The new tenders for the design and build work will be open to those on a panel of contractors already established for the Precinct.

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