The Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce calls for new, innovative thinking in CCC LTP

The Christchurch City Council needs to genuinely investigate new ways to raise revenue and manage assets and infrastructure to deliver a vibrant, prosperous and sustainable 21st century city, says Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce CEO Leeann Watson.

The Chamber’s submission on the Council’s Draft LTP 2018-2028 recommends the development of a new approach to maximise the release of capital from the assets the city owns and seeks a commitment to developing an innovative approach to managing assets and services.

"We believe that Christchurch should offer an experience to its residents that is comparable to other major cities, and what would be expected of living in the second largest city in New Zealand. However, we also understand the financial challenges of delivering these outcomes," says Mrs Watson.

"The Chamber is therefore very supportive of creative and innovative solutions being found. We would like to see an LTP that is much bolder, driven by the vision and focussing immediately on improving revenue generation and introducing innovative approaches to asset and infrastructure development and management, to deliver us the city we deserve."

The Chamber’s submission on the Draft LTP recommends:

- A commitment to work at pace to get our city not only back to what we would expect from New Zealand’s second largest city, but one focussed on maximising opportunities to develop a vibrant, prosperous and sustainable 21st century city.
- A new approach to maximise the release of capital from the assets the city owns, and a commitment to developing an innovative approach to managing assets and services.
- A commitment to finding efficiencies in current spending.
- A strong pathway indicating investment in infrastructure to ensure we are on the events calendar again in Christchurch, and specifically the delivery of a Multi-Use Arena.
- Overall, a commitment to a new, innovative way of thinking that will ensure we can deliver on the vision that the Council is espousing.
"It will take a change in the way the Council think. Unless we are prepared to be innovative, we will be left with a vision for Christchurch that we will be unable to realise."
"The Chamber is committed to working with the Mayor and the Council to ensure that together we can deliver the city that our residents and businesses deserve," said Leeann Watson.
ENDS

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