May 4, 2012

AvON delighted by Minister's response to petition

Avon-Otakaro Network (AvON) is delighted with the comment by Acting Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery, Amy Adams, that the Government will consider the proposal to turn the Avon River red zone into a reserve and river park, and says it looks forward to working with the Government to make this happen.

After a symbolic journey up the Avon, the AvON petition was handed over to Christchurch MPs from Labour, Greens and National on the steps of Parliament on Wednesday.

In response to a question from Christchurch East MP Lianne Dalziel about the AvON petition presented to Parliament, Ms Adams said the Government was “certainly interested in considering the proposal from those residents”.

“No decision has been made about the long-term future of the red zone land, and I would note that in fact the Avon River park through the central business district is one of the anchor projects that is being worked on,” she said. “We are very happy to receive the proposal, and I can assure the member that it will be given full consideration.”

AvON co-chair Evan Smith said the minister’s comments showed that acceptance of the city-to-sea Avon-Otakaro River Park proposal crossed all political boundaries.

“We are delighted at the reception the petition, signed by almost 19,000 people, has received,” he said. “We look forward to working with the Government and local authorities to make Avon-Otakaro River Park a reality, and a source of recovery and prosperity for all of Christchurch.”

AvON is a not-for-profit group. Its vision is to “establish a community-driven science-informed living memorial to rejuvenate and nurture the long-term environmental, economic, community and spiritual wellbeing of the eastern suburbs and of those living throughout greater Christchurch. Our aim is to turn a tragedy into an opportunity, a polluted drain into a vibrant river system, and exhaustion and despair into hope and inspiration.”
www.avon.org.nz

ENDS

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