Christchurch gets a new park for Christmas
19 December 2017
Rauora Park, the new public space at the heart of the East Frame, will be open for the public to enjoy from Tuesday, 19 December.
The 660-metre long park covers five blocks between Manchester and Madras Streets and has been delivered by Ōtākaro Limited on behalf of the Crown.
“There’s no better present for the Garden City than a whole new park,” says Ōtākaro Limited Chief Executive Albert Brantley.
Read more(external link)
Feedback shows strong support for ecological restoration and recreation
19 December 2017
Regenerate Christchurch today published all feedback on possible land uses for the 602-hectare Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor regeneration area.
From October 6 to November 6, 1,866 people and groups gave feedback on 10 possible combinations of land uses for the regeneration area, which is almost four times the size of Hagley Park and includes the former residential red zone.
The most common feedback themes were ecological restoration, residential development (including the proposed golf course land swap), recreation (including flatwater and whitewater facilities), visitor attractions and productive land uses, says Chief Executive Ivan Iafeta.
Read more(external link)
Greater Christchurch Partnership working agreement with One Voice - Te Reo Kotahi
11 December 2017
The Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee recently endorsed a working agreement with One Voice - Te Reo Kotahi(external link) (OVTRK). This agreement [PDF, 62 KB]outlines the commitments the Partnership and OVTRK will make to each other to support the implementation of the UDS Vision and OVTRK Kaupapa.
The working agreement acknowledges the critical role Third Sector Organisations play in supporting the economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing of greater Christchurch, and recognises the role OVTRK can plan in providing a conduit for meaningful conversations with Third Sector Organisations in developing and implementing strategy and policy.
Afternoon opening confirmed for SH1 north of Kaikoura on 15 December
7 December 2017
The NZ Transport Agency has confirmed that SH1 north of Kaikoura will open during the afternoon of Friday 15 December, connecting the coastal corridor for the first time since November 2016.
NZ Transport Agency Earthquake Recovery Manager Tim Crow says that while the re-opening of the road is an exciting time for travellers, the Transport Agency encourages sightseers keen to see the new road to plan a trip for a later date.
Read more(external link)
(external link)Five-star hotel planned for Convention Centre precinct
1 December 2017
Ōtākaro Limited has confirmed its plans for a premium, five-star hotel in the Convention Centre precinct.
The hotel is likely to have about 200 rooms and would be situated on the corner of Colombo Street and Cathedral Square.
“This is a prime location,” says Ōtākaro Chief Executive, Albert Brantley. “Having a premium quality hotel adjacent to the Convention Centre will help secure significant business events. Being a 24x7 business, it will also help bring life to Cathedral Square.”
The Convention Centre has been designed with the ability to connect to a hotel, which would enable delegates to walk from the hotel lobby directly into the venue.
Read more (external link)
Two years in two minutes, Christchurch airport intersection’s sculptural transformation
27 November 2017
New time-lapse footage released today by the NZ Transport Agency shows the dramatic transformation of one of Christchurch’s busiest intersections*, condensing two years of construction into a two-minute video.
The footage(external link) uses time lapse photography to show the process that turned the Memorial Avenue/Russley Road roundabout into the new Memorial Avenue Gateway Bridge, complete with 27 metre high ‘gateway arches’.
The video was released today, along with similar footage showing the Harewood Roundabout(external link) being enlarged and the new Southern Airport Access(external link) being constructed, both also key parts of the Russley Road Upgrade.
Read more(external link)
Christchurch’s Western Belfast Bypass - all lanes now open
15 November 2017
All four lanes of Canterbury’s new Western Belfast Bypass are now open to traffic, the NZ Transport Agency says.
The Western Belfast Bypass is a new four-lane, 5km stretch of highway. Bypassing Belfast, it extends the Christchurch Northern Motorway (SH1) and connects into State Highway 1 (SH1) Johns Road, west of The Groynes entrance.
The final lane opened to traffic earlier today (Wednesday). An 80km per hour speed restriction is in place along the route to allow the project team to carry out final road marking and clear the site of road cones and temporary signs.
Read more(external link)
More than 1,800 responses to options for regeneration area’s future
15 November 2017
Regenerate Christchurch will consider 1,871 responses from people and groups as it refines options for the future use of the regeneration area.
Over four weeks, people provided feedback on 10 possible combinations of land uses for the 602-hectare Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor Regeneration Area, and extensive supporting information.
With this stage of feedback now closed, Regenerate Christchurch Chief Executive Ivan Iafeta says the organisation greatly appreciates the level of interest and passion that Cantabrians have shown for the area from Barbadoes Street to Bexley, and would like to thank everyone who responded for the effort they made to review the information and provide their thoughts.
Read more (external link)
More Western Belfast Bypass lanes set to open to traffic
7 November 2017
The NZ Transport Agency has released new drone footage(external link) of Christchurch’s Western Belfast Bypass, including shots of the recent open day, as crews prepare to open more lanes of the new road this month.
The Western Belfast Bypass is a new four-lane, 5km stretch of highway. Bypassing Belfast, it extends the Christchurch Northern Motorway (SH1) and connects into State Highway 1 (SH1) Johns Road, west of The Groynes entrance.
Traffic is being switched onto the new bypass in stages, following the open day on Sunday October 29, which attracted around 10,000 people.
Read more(external link)
(external link)Russley Road Open Day: a chance to view the gateway arches
6 November 2017
The entire Russley Road Upgrade will open to traffic this month and to celebrate, the NZ Transport Agency is inviting people to an open day on top of Christchurch’s new Memorial Avenue Gateway Bridge.
The open day will be held on top of the bridge, right underneath the 27 metre high ‘gateway arches’ on Saturday, 11 November. It will run from 10am until 2pm.
Due to limited space on the bridge, people will need to register online(external link) to get free tickets and book a time slot to attend. Each free ticket will go into the draw to win a helicopter ride with Garden City Helicopters.
Read more(external link)
(external link)Christchurch Convention Centre construction underway
4 November 2017
Construction is underway on the Christchurch Convention Centre with the first concrete being poured for the foundation.
“This is a welcome step in Christchurch’s regeneration. The design of the Convention Centre will make it a standout feature in the central city, and today we start bringing it to life,” says Ōtākaro Limited Chief Executive Albert Brantley.
Read more(external link)
Kaikoura State Highway 1 south: five-day closure next week, another one to come 20 November
2 November 2017
A reminder for those travelling to and from Kaikoura next week that a full five-day closure will be in place on State Highway 1, south of Kaikoura, between Peketa and Goose Bay from Monday, 6 November to Friday, 10 November.
Local drive-throughs will take place at the usual times each day during the closure.
“The inland road, Route 70, via Waiau, remains open 24/7 as a good alternative route to Kaikoura,” says Tresca Forrester, North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) Journey Manager. “The current journey time is three hours between Christchurch and Kaikoura on both routes.
Read more(external link)
Progressing the Sustainable Development Goals through Health in All Policies: Case studies from around the world
30 October 2017
WHO and the Government of South Australia published the Case Study Book on Health in All Policies (HiAP), which describes experiences from around the world in the context of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
This book includes a case study on Applying a Health in All Policies approach to the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy: the experience to date in Canterbury, New Zealand.
The case study book documents experiences, capturing important elements of HiAP practice through an analysis of established and emerging models. The book is aimed at the international community and the broader sustainable development network. It will be of interest to those who want to know more about implementing HiAP.
Read the case study book(external link)
Stay focussed, choose the correct lane, as Christchurch’s Western Belfast Bypass starts opening to traffic
30 October 2017
Thousands of Cantabrians yesterday took the opportunity to walk, run and cycle the region’s newest stretch of motorway before it opens to traffic.
The NZ Transport Agency’s Western Belfast Bypass open day was held on Sunday from 10am until 2pm, giving people the chance to check out the new highway before it opens to traffic in stages from tomorrow (Tuesday, October 31).
Bypassing Belfast, the new four-lane stretch of highway extends the Christchurch Northern Motorway and connects into State Highway 1 Johns Road, west of The Groynes entrance.
Read more(external link)
Explore the Western Belfast Bypass: open day Sunday, 29 October 2017 
20 October 2017
The NZ Transport Agency is inviting people to walk, run and cycle on the 4km long bypass before it opens to traffic in stages from early November.
Transport Agency Principal Project Manager Geoff Griffiths says the community open day will run from 10.00am until 2.00pm.
“The open day is a once in a lifetime opportunity to walk, run or cycle on the new highway before it opens to traffic,” he says.
Read more(external link)
Developer for 224 Cashel Street confirmed
20 October 2017
Ōtākaro Limited has selected Studio D4, led by Patrick Fontein, as the preferred developer for the building at 224 Cashel St (former IRD building) and the Cashel Chambers and carpark.
Ōtākaro Limited Chief Executive Albert Brantley says Mr Fontein’s projects, including the Vodafone, Kathmandu, Dux Central, Lichfield Lanes and Innovation Carpark developments, have played an integral part in the success of the Innovation Precinct.
“His vision and ability to deliver will ensure this building, at the heart of the East Frame and adjacent to the Innovation Precinct, will be of great benefit to those living and working there.”
Read more(external link)
Landscaping of CTV site to begin soon
18 October 2017
Landscaping of the former site of the Canterbury Television (CTV) building will begin next week.
“The site will become a special part of the city – a peaceful place to sit and reflect, with grass and gardens,” says Ōtākaro Limited Chief Executive Albert Brantley.
“The lawn and the three former car parks on the Cashel Street side of the site will be retained. There will be a central grove of cherry trees as well as New Zealand native plants and international plants to provide variety and colour.”
Read more(external link)
Mayor signs resilience pledge
Mayor Lianne Dalziel has formally pledged to introduce a budget that commits at least 10 per cent of Christchurch City Council’s 2017/18 spending to building Christchurch’s resilience.
Mayor Dalziel and 100 Resilience Cities (100RC) Asia-Pacific Associate Director Sam Kernaghan signed the pledge at the official launch of Resilient Greater Christchurch - a plan aimed at ensuring Christchurch and the surrounding towns and districts have the resilience to deal with future challenges.
The pledge will make Greater Christchurch eligible for up to US$5 million worth of goods and services from the 100RC that can be used to help it achieve its resilience goals. Read more(external link)
After the upheaval and recovery of the last five years, an update of the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy has been completed.
The updated Strategy focuses on people - both those already living in Greater Christchurch, and the generations to come - and their social, cultural, economic and environmental wellbeing. It draws on recent strategic work and consultation, and integrates recent resilience work.
The updated Strategy guides the work of the UDS Partnership until a more thorough review of the UDS is undertaken, within the next few years.
Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy Update - He Rautaki Whakawhanake-ā-tāone mō Waitaha 2016 [PDF, 7.6 MB]
