News in brief from the Council meeting

Temporary alcohol bans for rugby league fields, water supply issues, and fast-tracking changes to the District Plan are among items discussed at this week's Christchurch City Council meeting.

Temporary alcohol ban for rugby league fields

Drinking alcohol on the sideline of rguby league fields will be banned this winter.

In response to a request from Canterbury Rugby League (CRL), Christchurch City Council has agreed to put temporary alcohol bans in place at Council-owned rugby league playing fields and adjoining car parks during the rugby league season.

The temporary alcohol ban will apply only during the time that games and training are taking place.

CRL sought the ban because of ongoing problems associated with spectators and club members drinking on the sidelines.

It is one of a number of initiatives the sporting code is taking to change the alcohol-related culture within some sections of the rugby league community.

New sculpture for Rauora Park

The Council has agreed that a 16-metre tall sculpture commissioned by SCAPE Public Art can have a permanent home in Rauora Park – the public space that runs between Armagh and Lichfield streets.

The sculpture, VAKA’A HINA, was designed by Tongan artist and architect Sēmisi Fetokai Potauaine, and will be gifted to the city by SCAPE.

It will join 14 other permanent artworks produced by SCAPE for Christchurch.

The sculpture can be lit in different colours at night to suit different occasions.

Council seeks changes to District Plan

The Council has agreed to start work on a proposal to ask the Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration to use section 71 of the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Act to make some fast-tracked changes to the District Plan.

The changes the Council wants relate to the slope instability overlays on the Port Hills and to on-site parking requirements in Lyttelton’s town centre.

The changes, if approved by the Minister, will remove the unnecessary restrictions some property owners on the Port Hills are currently facing and make it easier for people to develop commercial sites in Lyttelton.

Protecting the city's water resources

Council staff will investigate the pros and cons of applying for a Water Conservation Order (WCO) to protect the city's underground drinking-water aquifers.

A report is scheduled to return to the Council in September, which will also address any potential impacts a WCO could have on water extraction for community purposes.

The Council will also write to Minister for the Environment David Parker to request work be sped up on the National Environmental Standard for Sources of Human Drinking Water. The Council would also like to see it broadened to include both the quality and quantity of drinking water, particularly for groundwater sources.