Key decisions from today’s Council meeting

Christchurch City Council met today and made the following key decisions:

Annual Report 2015 adopted

The Council today adopted its Annual Report 2015. The operating result was a deficit of $23 million which, after adding capital income mainly associated with the earthquake, became a surplus of $307 million. Total spending for the year was $700.5 million. As in recent years, Audit New Zealand modified its opinion on three issues, the most important of which related to complexities in valuing the earthquake damage to wastewater, stormwater and roading networks.

Green light for car sharing scheme

A proposal for a car sharing scheme, featuring electric vehicles, is moving ahead. Car sharing is rapidly growing in popularity across the globe and complements public transport, walking and cycling. The Council agreed that staff will develop policy and look at ways to make it as easy as possible to install electric vehicle charging stations. An Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) proposal for a shared pool of electric fleet vehicles for Government agencies also gained Council support.

Heritage grant for Shands Emporium

The Council will cover half the cost of repairing and upgrading Shands Emporium, a protected heritage building on Manchester Street. A Heritage Improvement Grant of up to $172,219 was approved by Council today. Shands Emporium dates back to 1860 and is one of the oldest commercial buildings in central Christchurch. Relocated from Hereford Street, the building retains many original features including kauri fireplaces, stairs and floorboards.

Next steps for Kaituna Reserve proposal

The Council is taking steps to prepare a management plan to guide the future use of Kaituna Reserve in Banks Peninsula. As an interim measure, until a management plan can be developed, consulted on and adopted, the Council has agreed to consult on a proposed dual classification for the reserve. Under this proposal, huts on the reserve would become 'local purpose (hut settlement) reserve' and the rest would become 'recreation reserve' under the Reserves Act 1977. The dual classification means hut owners could be given interim leases for up to five years, while the management plan process comes up with a long-term solution.

ENDS

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