City Scene July 1998 - $1m in plan benefits Cathedral & City

$1m in plan benefits Cathedral & City

Following public consultation on the Christchurch City Council's draft plan, the Council will contribute $1 million over the next five years to protect the City's foremost landmark.

The $200,000 per year will be used to strengthen Christchurch Anglican Cathedral against earthquakes. Engineering surveys show the Cathedral's west wall could collapse in a large earthquake. The money will be used to strengthen the Cathedral's wall and the roof.

Over 500 suggestions were submitted in the Council's 'What's the Big Idea?' exercise, and some 800 public submissions were made on the Council's draft plan.

Added to the Council's plan were:

$700,000 over two years for a millennium New Year's celebration
$6.2 million over four years to place power lines underground
$80,000 over four years to the City's new heart unit
$200,000 to refurbish the Theatre Royal
$50,000 for a schools programme for the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

Taking these additional items into account, the rates increase for Christchurch residential ratepayers in 1998/99 will average 2.45 percent.

For more information see the 1998/99 Christchurch City Plan

Chris Oldham, Cathedral administrator is delighted with the Council's Contribution.

Chris Oldham, Cathedral administrator
is delighted with the Council's Contribution.

Thumbs up for Christchurch

Christchurch people are happy with their City, according to the results of City Council research.

Of 1031 people surveyed in the Councils 1998 annual survey of residents, 94 per cent said that Christchurch is a great place to live, work and spend time.

Each year a survey is carried out for the Council by an independent research company to find out what people think of their City and the services provided by the Council. Other findings in the 1998 survey include:

56 per cent support Council involvement in funding the upgrade of Jade Stadium at Lancaster Park which 23 per cent oppose.

78 per cent support Council ownership of shares in Southpower, the Lyttelton Port Company and Christchurch International Airport Ltd while only four per cent oppose.

The top four ranked Council services are water supply, parks and playing fields, public libraries and events and festivals, each of which rated as good or very good value for money with more than 80 per cent of respondents.

Parochial pride 100,000 people attended the parade to celebrate the Crusaders Super 12 victory, and 94 per cent of Christchurch residents believe that the City is a great place to live, work and spend time.