Property Council welcomes Christchurch Convention Centre progress

Property Council welcomes the announcement by Gerry Brownlee, Minister of Greater Christchurch Regeneration, that construction of the Christchurch Convention Centre will begin soon.

The announcement comes at a time when some commentators have said that Christchurch’s rebuild process has plateaued.

Acting Chief Executive, Matt Paterson, says “the project will sustain the construction momentum in Christchurch’s CBD. He says the announcement sends positive signals to the private sector that the Government is committed to the CBD anchor projects and that they are “putting their money, where their mouth is.

“Property Council has been very critical of the delays in deliverying the anchor projects, so we welcome this announcement as progress not only for the CBD, but for Christchurch and the wider region.”

“Once opened, the Convention Centre should provide a range of tangible economic and social benefits for the city and create additional jobs in the CBD.”

Mr Paterson states they are encouraged to note that feedback from the Property Council Rebuild Christchurch Seminar, held a fortnight ago, has been taken on board by Otakaro Limited.

Mr Paterson says having key representatives from Regenerate Christchurch, Development Christchurch and Otakaro Limited attend the Seminar helped demonstrate how important the Convention Centre’s delivery is to Christchurch and how delays in the delivery of key anchor projects have cost the city tens of millions of dollars in capital flight so far in 2016 alone.

“We’d like to believe that we have convinced Otakaro Limited to move with this anchor project as soon as possible.”

“This announcement is a signal to investors that the Government see’s itself playing an integral role in the regeneration of Christchurch’s urban fabric.”

While this announcement is encouraging, Property Council believes more needs to be done to create communities within the CBD.

“Without a doubt, cranes across the cityscape are powerful symbols that regeneration is well underway. However, we urge decision-makers to think more about building communities. There needs to be a more holistic and joined-up thinking approach to how we create communities within and near the CBD. This is one reason we have supported the creation of Regenerate Christchurch.”

“We need to allow more opportunities for intensified housing as well as amenities that will benefit not only residents but workers employed in the CBD. These sorts of enabling projects will assist in creating the worldclass city that we all aspire Christchurch to become in the future.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media