To: Chief Reporter
From: Kristi Gray, Communication Team
Date: 11 July 2008

Christchurch City Council media release

Mid Heathcote River/Ōpawaho Linear Park Masterplan out for comment

People are being asked to confirm that proposals outlined in the Mid-Heathcote River/Ōpawaho Linear Park Masterplan are a true reflection of the community’s vision for the future of this important area of the city.

Council staff have carefully considered information and comments collected during previous consultations with the community and produced the plan for the area which stretches from Colombo Street to Opawa Road. The plan covers a wide range of issues such as tree planting, the creation of new and improved recreational space (e.g. parks, cycleways, jetties etc) and the improvement of in-stream ecology by sensitive planting.

People will have a chance to view the plan from 21 July and can make comments until 29 August. Interested parties will be a sent a leaflet summarising the main proposals and anyone wanting to review the full master plan can call into the South Christchurch Service Centre or the Civic Offices on Tuam Street.

Drop in sessions will be held at the Beckenham Service Centre on Saturday 28 July between 4.30pm and 6.30pm and on 9 August between 1pm and 3pm. Staff will be available for to talk about the proposals and answer any questions you may have. A large poster will be on display in the South Christchurch Service Centre from the 21 July and during the drop in sessions which will give a visual representation of the proposed changes.

The plan will also be available from 21 July on Have Your Say on the Council Website at www.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay.

Planning team manager Richard Holland says “It has been a lengthy process to produce the document as it covers such a wide area with a diverse range of uses. People feel strongly about this section of the river and we needed to make sure we had consulted as many people as possible to reflect this diversity.

“We are confident we have listened to the community and reflected their views, but we just want to make sure we have it right before we take the document to Councillors to consider this project for funding in the Council’s long term plan.

“It is important the community express their support to help make some of these great projects happen.’’

ENDS

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