Thursday 16 May 2013

Sumner Village Centre Draft Master Plan to proceed to the next stage

The Draft Master Plan for the recovery and rebuilding of Sumner's Village Centre is one step closer to final sign-off by Christchurch City Council after today's Council decision that hearings will not be necessary for submissions received from the public consultation.

The Council supports the Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board's recommendation that it is comfortable with the level of community involvement in the development of the Draft Master Plan and the support given by the Sumner community to the Draft Master Plan during the public consultation process .

Joint Advisory Group (JAG*) Chairman David Cox says, "Another milestone has been reached for the Sumner community, with the decision not to hold hearings. This signals a vote of confidence in the community-led master planning process and in the Plan itself. I am immensely proud of the Sumner community who have worked alongside Council staff to develop the Plan.

"Community leaders, property and business owners and local residents have been instrumental in developing the Plan, and have provided invaluable feedback through the master planning process. This feedback has been used to identify amendments to the Plan that will ensure positive outcomes and help build investor and community confidence in Sumner's Village Centre," he says.

Mayor Bob Parker says, "I am particularly impressed with the leadership the JAG has shown as they steered the Council staff project team and the community through the master planning process. They have spent more than 15 months of their time to help develop this Plan - this is inspiring commitment from our community leaders, and I sincerely thank them on behalf of the wider community."

City Planning Unit Manager Brigitte de Ronde says, "The decision reflects a high level of community support for the Plan. It will enable Council staff to make amendments to the Plans in line with public submissions and staff suggestions. This will allow a swift turn around for getting this Master Plan back before the Council for final sign-off."

The Draft Master Plan was available for public comment from the 8 November to 12 December 2012. The Draft Master Plan received 205 submissions with 34 of these submitters indicating they wanted to be heard if the opportunity was provided.

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