Better streets & spaces  |  31 Oct 2019

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Forty million dollars will be invested in developing the Green Spine through the Otākāro Avon River Corridor if an investment case is accepted by the Government.

Christchurch City Council today signed off on an investment case that seeks $40 million from the Christchurch Regeneration Acceleration Facility (CRAF) for projects to catalyse development of the Green Spine.

The Council is also going to look at private and philantropic investment opportunities to progress work on the Green Spine.

Stretching 11km from the central city to the sea, the Green Spine is a key feature of the Otākāro Avon River Corridor Regeneration Plan. It will include walking paths, nature trails, cycleways, and community spaces such as picnic sports and barbeque areas, as well as large areas of ecological restoration and wetlands.

“We want to get moving on the Green Spine and show the community and investors our commitment to delivering the Regeneration Plan,’’ says Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

“The $40 million we are seeking from the CRAF will allow us to develop a network of pathways and public landing sites along the river corridor and will also enable us to begin restoring some key ecological areas,’’ the Mayor says.

“These projects represent an important step forward in the regeneration of the red zone and will hopefully encourage others to progress their own projects so that together we achieve the vision mapped out in the Otākāro Avon River Corridor Regeneration Plan.’’

Money for roading and transport improvements

The Council today also finalised its investment case for $40 million in CRAF funding for roading and transport projects around Christchurch.

If the Government accepts the Council’s investment case, it will spend:

  • $25 million to $30 million on improving the safety and condition of more than 100 roads in several suburban areas of the city impacted by the earthquakes.
  • $5 million to $7 million on progressing targeted road safety initiations across the Christchurch transport network.
  • $5 million to $8 million on implementing public transport improvements on key routes in the city.

“We know the state of some of our roads and footpaths continue to be a source of frustration for residents. With the extra funding we are seeking from the CRAF we can improve the condition and safety of roads and footpaths in a number of suburbs that were significantly impacted by the earthquakes,’’ Mayor Dalziel says.

The Council will now submit the two investment cases to the Government for consideration.