Council updates  |  7 Dec 2022

Share this story

Three programmes of work from across the city and Banks Peninsula are part of the Christchurch City Council’s application for the first stage of the Government’s Better Off support funding package.

The Government created the Three Waters Better Off pool to recognise the impact on councils from shifting assets and service delivery from councils to Water Service Entities.

Christchurch City Council has been allocated $30.61 million in Tranche 1 and is required to submit an application to Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs confirming the projects proposed for funding. A further $91.82 million is allocated in Tranche 2.

Better Off support funding will to be used to contribute to our community’s wellbeing by prioritising things that communities have told us are important. These include more trees and enhancing biodiversity, safer neighbourhoods, local community facilities, responding to climate change through adaptation planning and encouraging active travel. 

 Criteria for funding proposal 
  • Projects must meet some or all of the following government criteria:
  • Supporting communities to transition to a sustainable and low-emissions economy, including by building resilience to climate change and natural hazards.
  • Delivery of infrastructure and/or services that support local place-making and improvements in community well-being.
  • Delivery of infrastructure and/or services that enable hosing development and growth, with a focus on brownfield and infill development opportunities where those are available. 

Funding proposals must be for:

  • New initiatives/projects; and/or
  • To accelerate, scale-up and/or enhance the quality of planned investment.

At today’s Council meeting, the Mayor and councillors finalised and approved the list of projects. Council staff have until 16 December 2022 to make an application.  

Mayor Phil Mauger says we’ve prioritised projects that will have real impact in our communities and for the environment, are deliverable within the five year timeframe, and help take pressure off rates by utilising government funding.

“This is a great opportunity to inject funds into projects that can be delivered in partnership with community boards, community groups, NGOs and core government agencies. We can make a real difference by focusing the funding and our efforts where they will have the most impact.

“This list is a good balance of things that are important to our communities and things that need to be done.

“Increasing our tree canopy is going to be one of our biggest priorities  as this will have a lasting impact on the environment and biodiversity across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula and is something that will be enjoyed by future generations,” he says.

“We’re responding to safety issues in suburban areas and the central city, with a three year programme of preventive measures to be delivered in partnership with government agencies, NGOs, not for profit organisations, community groups and Police.

“Building our resilience to the impacts of climate change is important. We’ve included in the list projects that support local adaptation planning and those that encouraging active travel,” says Mayor Mauger.   

The list includes enhancements to projects that have previously been consulted on with the public and approved by the Council; or are recognised as a matter of current priority or concern by the community.

See the list of projects here.