The Government has handed management of 6000 red zone properties to the council but what are the immediate plans?

A council spokesperson says the first step will be rezoning the 300-hectare future Green Spine area to allow for its future development.

“This will need to be done using either the Christchurch District Plan or the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Act 2016, so that the Regeneration Plan can take effect.”

In the meantime, detailed planning and design work for the Green Spine has begun, and it’s expected that the first physical construction work on three bridges at Snell Pl, Medway St and Avondale, and a riverside landing at Dallington will commence early 2021.

Council staff are also planning the placement of stop-banks, ecological areas and further landings within the Green Spine.

The Council is also investigating early physical enabling works around stopbank repairs and wetland creation near Waitaki St (Bexley) and Waikākāriki (Horseshoe Lake).  

A council spokesperson says early work has also begun on the design and placement of the City To Sea pathway, and there’ll be opportunities to have your say on this 11km-long cycle/pedestrian route in the near future.

 The Council took over management of the flatland former residential red zones earlier this week.

Ownership of Southshore, South New Brighton and Brooklands will transfer from the Crown to the Council during July.

LINZ will retain ownership and management of the Port Hills red zone properties until May 2021.

$2.7 million has been budgeted annually for maintenance, plus rates, for all of the residential red zones.