Upgrading roads around Christchurch stadium no longer 'paused', despite mayor's moves to delay project
From reporter Steven Walton:
Work has resumed on a hotly-debated $33 million upgrade to roads around Christchurch's planned stadium.
Residents now have until the end of the month to share their views on the project.
More than 850 submissions have already been made – making the project the council’s second most popular consultation of the year. The future of the stadium itself was the most popular.
The $33m upgrade has not been supported by new mayor Phil Mauger, who has suggested the money would be better spent fixing roads in the east or going towards the $683m cost of the stadium.
Nearly two weeks ago, the council said work on the project was paused and Mauger said that was a consequence of his wish to not proceed with the work.
On Tuesday, the newly-elected council was briefed behind closed doors about the project.
Council chief executive Dawn Baxendale said the briefing to the council explained the project will improve pedestrian safety and traffic management while also replacing “outdated” three waters networks around the stadium.
Following the briefing, work on the project has resumed.
That means the public consultation can be finished and staff can consider the responses.
A council spokesperson said staff would then make changes to the proposal where it can. After that, it will make a recommendation to a hearings panel that is expected to convene in February next year.
The panel will then make a final recommendation to the council in March, when the council will effectively decide whether the project continues.
The Christchurch City Council launched consultation on the scheme on the first day of Mauger’s mayoralty and released its proposed plans covering Lichfield, Madras, Tuam and Barbadoes streets.
Footpaths would be widened to up to 5.8m on some streets, speeds lowered to 10kph or 30kph, car parks taken away and room allowed for cycle lanes, gardens and outdoor dining.
But businesses along one of the routes were not happy with the plans, as they did not want to lose parking.
The two options for Lichfield St involve the loss of some, or all 72, car parks.
The council’s consultation document said the upgrades were designed to cater for large influxes of traffic and pedestrians attending events at the stadium, Te Kaha.
If approved, the work would start some time next year and be completed by 2026, when Te Kaha is due to open.
Mauger said in October he wanted to delay the work on the surrounding streets until after the stadium was built.
“I would rather, as a ratepayer, drive down the streets as they are and pay that $24m (sic) off the stadium.”
While Mauger said the cost was $24m, the council’s consultation document said it was $33m.
Mauger said the work should be done, but only “when people come and we get more money”.
“You’ve got to cut your cloth to suit the budget.”
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Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64.2% Yes
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33.4% No
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2.4% Other - I'll share below
Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
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