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Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor update
August 2023
Red zone hand-over from Crown to Council completed
Another chapter of Christchurch’s earthquake recovery has closed, with the final tranche of residential red zone land being transferred from government to local ownership.
The occasion, which also ends the Crown’s post-earthquake responsibilities in Christchurch, was marked with a small event at Dallington Landing today, hosted by Minister for Land Information Damien O’Connor (left) and Mayor Phil Mauger (right).
Mayor Mauger says the Council now having full ownership of the former residential red zones is a significant milestone.
Celebrating our rangers
Working as a ranger in our city’s residential red zone is a dream come true for Sarah Mankelow.
Sarah is a Community Partnership Ranger, a role that she recently started and describes as a privilege.
“Conservation has been my passion my whole life. My dream job as a teen was to work as a conservation officer, so I feel privileged and blessed to do this work.”
Sustainable, innovative furniture sought for Council parks
Park benches, picnic tables, bike stands and loungers made of reclaimed or recycled materials could soon grace Christchurch’s parks network, including the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor (OARC).
Christchurch City Council will shortly be going out to tender for a supplier to design and fabricate the furniture, with a heavy emphasis on sustainable construction practices and materials.
Red Zone Manager, David Little, says the OARC Regeneration Plan describes the area as a ‘living laboratory’ - for this reason his team is leading the project, which will be rolled out across the Parks network over time.
Gateway to New Brighton plan revealed
A plan to address earthquake damage and improve emergency evacuation times along the main route to and from New Brighton has been released.
Christchurch City Council is seeking public feedback on a significant new project, Gateway to New Brighton, which crosses across the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor Regeneration Area.
The project focuses on Pages Road east of Anzac Drive, and some surrounding streets and is estimated to cost $65-million.
Winter planting programme in full swing
Winter is planting season and it's been a busy one for community groups, volunteers, and our rangers and staff, as we continue the ecological restoration of the OARC regeneration area.
We're now into the second half of the season, but there are still plenty of days to get involved. The next planting days are:
- 20 August: Help rangers and Conservation Volunteers NZ with a new restoration project at Amelia Rogers Reserve, in association with Conservation Week.
- 24 August: Conservation Volunteers is leading work to improve the health of the Ōtākaro Avon River with riverside planting sessions at Dallington Terrace.
- 3 Sept: Eco-Action Nursery Trust are continuing their work with students from across Ōtautahi Christchurch to regenerate Chimera Crescent.
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