Thursday, 14 August 2014

Key decisions from today’s Council meeting

Christchurch City Council met today and made the following decisions:

Community to have say on financial issues

Community engagement will begin on 4 September 2014 on the issues and exploring all options arising from the financial challenges the Council faces. The results will be used to inform the development of the draft 2015-2025 Long Term Plan. The Council also voted to receive the KordaMentha and Cameron Partners reports.

Council takes stance on Trans-Pacific Partnership

The Council will support a petition from the Renewals Motueka group about the Asia-Pacific regional free trade agreement, known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The Council adopted the position that it encourages the Government to conclude negotiations on the TPP and free trade agreements in a way that provides net positive benefits for Christchurch and New Zealand. There are 12 objectives that the Council also agreed to in support of this position. The Council will request Local Government New Zealand to adopt a similar stance.

Mayor to sign Call for Action on Alcohol

Mayor Lianne Dalziel will sign a statement being distributed to community leaders nationally calling on the incoming government to take measures to address the harm caused by alcohol. The Call for Action on Alcohol asks the new government to consider phasing out alcohol advertising and sponsorship, establish a minimum unit price for alcohol and increase alcohol tax.

Diamond Harbour community to have say on development plans

The Council will work with the Diamond Harbour community on development plans and issues identified in a report by the Stoddart Point Regeneration Ideas Group called Getting to the Point. The Lyttelton/Mount Herbert Community Board encourages this engagement, which will enable projects to be considered for the Long Term Plan.

Committee to investigate intersection right-turn signals

A Burwood/Pegasus Community Board request for staff to consider green right-turn arrows for the eastern and western approaches to the intersection of Marshland and New Brighton roads was referred to the Environmental Committee.

Policy requiring disability access to be investigated

Staff will investigate and report back to the Council on the possibility of instituting a policy that requires all organisations and projects the Council has a direct involvement in be accessible to people with disabilities.

Land gift adds to Bowenvale Reserve

A gift of about 2.3 hectares of land adjacent to Bowenvale Recreation Reserve will be added to the reserve area, which will be known as Bowenvale Reserve. The land was gifted by the Bowenvale Trust on behalf of the Curtis family.

New Brighton Community Garden Trust lease extended

A new 10-year lease will allow the New Brighton Community Garden Trust to continue using the pavilion and land at Rawhiti Domain. Rent is set at $1 a year for an initial three-year term, with a right of renewal for a further seven years. The trust will be able to hire out the pavilion with the income supporting its community garden activities.

Light vehicles barred from roads at night

Light vehicles are to be banned from two city roads between 10pm and 5am. The roads are Sir James Wattie Drive in Hornby and Blakes Road in Belfast. Vehicles weighing less than 3,500 kilograms are banned unless there are genuine reasons for the driver to require access. The restriction is made under the Prohibited Times on Roads section of the Council’s Traffic and Parking Bylaw.

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