Wednesday, 20 March 2014

Key decisions from today’s Environmental Committee meeting

Christchurch City Council Environmental Committee met today, with the key decisions made outlined below:

Riccarton Public Transport hub options in sync with local businesses
The Committee recommended the Council consider a preferred site at the Westfield Mall frontage along Riccarton Road for the proposed bus transport hub facilities.

The recommendation will ask staff to report back within three months with attractive concept designs including innovative lighting and Wi-Fi for the Riccarton Public Transport Hub. Initial measures will also recommend that the site include the extension of bus stops and improved and attractive passenger shelters in front of Westfield Mall entrance, with safety as a key element of the design.

The recommendation will request that all proposed work is carried out with pedestrian safety and bus route planning as a priority. Staff will also be requested to investigate the long term options for an enclosed passenger waiting lounge.

Major Cycleways route name recommendations
The Committee recommends that Council adopt the names for the 13 Major Cycleways routes listed in a staff report but with some minor amendments. These include altering the name for Route 5 connecting the Central City to New Brighton, and Route 6 from the Central City to Ferrymead Bridge.

The Committee also recommends that Te Reo names as proposed by Ngāi Tahu are applied to the routes in addition to the names voted on by the public. Refer to separate media release for full details.

District Energy scheme for Christchurch to be explored
The Committee recommends that Council endorse the concept of exploring the opportunity of a district energy scheme and commit to the six month negotiation phase with the Alliance Partnership of the Council, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch City Holdings Limited, Energy for Industry and Cowley Services.

The goal of the Alliance would be to launch a District Energy System (DES) in Christchurch. The DES would offer low-cost, environmentally sustainable and resilient heat/cool energy to a wide range of customers across the central city, whilst making an important contribution towards Christchurch becoming a sustainable, resilient and future-proofed 21st century city.

The final decision to fully participate in the District Energy System would come back to Council for approval.

– Ends –

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