Community Board to consider Redcliffs land swap

A report which recommends the Council consult the public about the Education Ministry's proposal to swap land in Redcliffs will be considered by the Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board next week.

The Ministry of Education has written to the Council asking it to consider swapping Redcliffs Park for the Redcliffs Primary School site in Main Rd.

The Education Ministry wants Redcliffs Park for a new school.

Since the February 2011 earthquake students and staff from Redcliffs Primary School have been based at the van Asch Deaf Education Centre in Sumner because of concerns about the stability of the cliffs behind the school.

Last October then Education Minister Hekia Parata announced Redcliffs Primary would not re-open on its Main Rd site and would instead move to a new location.

She identified Redcliffs Park as the preferred location for the replacement school.

The Education Ministry favour using the park as the site for the replacement school because of its development potential, easy access for transport, and close proximity to the old school.

It has offered the Council the old Redcliffs Primary School site in return for Redcliffs Park.

On Wednesday, May 17 the Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board will consider a report by Council staff which recommends the Council begin consulting the public about the proposed land swap.

The report will be considered by the full Council on May 25.

It recommends the Council appoint a a hearings panel to consider public submissions.

It would be up to the hearings panel to then make a recommendation to the Council on whether to proceed with the land swap.