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April 1999 C H R I S T C H U R C H C I T Y C O U N C I L · Y O U R P E O P L E · Y O U R C I T Y
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ISSUE THREE - REPRESENTATION
Ensuring the rural voice is heard in an amalgamated Council
Residents' views are needed on how the new areas would be represented under an amalgamated Council. There is some concern about the approximately 7,500 people who live in Banks Peninsula having their say on their immediate locality in a City with 317,000 people.
Dunedin, Manukau and Auckland City Councils all have substantial rural areas. Dunedin has an area larger than the proposed amalgamated Christchurch Council.
Other Councils represent their rural interests by careful drawing of ward boundaries (wards elect Councillors) and the use of community boards.
Number of Councillors
Currently Banks Peninsula residents have one councillor for every 840 people, while in Christchurch there is a councillor for about every 13,000 people.
The Local Government Commission has proposed that one Councillor be returned from the Akaroa area, while Lyttelton will form part of the nearest City ward, (under the current boundaries this would be the Ferrymead Ward). This would mean one Councillor would represent about 2,600 people in the Akaroa area while in the rest of the City Councillors would represent somewhere over 13,000 people.
Community Boards
Community Boards are currently a strong feature of both Banks Peninsula District and Christchurch City Councils' democratic representation. Community boards would continue to be a focus of any new merged Council.
There would be a community board based in Akaroa and also one covering Lyttelton. Community boards in Christchurch City cover local relevant issues in their communities and have responsibility for local facilities and decision making. They have specific responsibilities and Christchurch City Council has given them significant powers for local roads, parks and other facilities along with a discretionary sum of $300,000 in each year to fund local projects.
There are currently six Christchurch City Council community boards - these are Hagley/Ferrymead, Riccarton/Wigram, Spreydon/Heathcote, Fendalton/Waimairi, Burwood/Pegasus and Shirley/Papanui. The Local Government Commission has also requested that the boundaries of Wards and Community Boards within the current City area be reviewed. This is a separate exercise to amalgamation, also being undertaken at this time.
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Forums on amalgamation issue
Residents are invited to attend Community Board-hosted forums across the City. The forums will be based upon a presentation of information relevant to the proposed amalgamation, together with a discussion period in which all attendees can express their views on the proposal.
The schedule of meetings is as follows:
Thursday 15 April at 7pm - Mt Pleasant Community Centre, McCormacks Bay.
Monday 19 April at 7pm - Yaldhurst Hall, cnr Pound/Yaldhurst Roads.
Monday 19 April at 7pm - Linwood Service Centre, 180 Smith Street.
Tuesday 20 April at 7pm - Chch East School Hall, Gloucester Street.
Wednesday 21 April at 7pm - Fendalton Service Centre, cnr Jeffreys & Clyde Roads.
Wednesday 21 April at 7pm - Cashmere Club, Hunter Terrace.
Thursday 22 April at 10.30am - The Auditorium, Seaview Christian Centre, New Brighton.
Monday 26 April at 7pm - Somerfield Hall, Studholme Street.
Monday 26 April at 7.30pm - Belfast School Hall, Main North Road, Belfast.
Tuesday 27 April at 7pm - Shirley Service Centre, 36 Marshland Road (Palms Shopping Centre).
Wednesday 28 April at 7pm - Bishopdale Community Centre, 129 Farrington Avenue.
Wednesday 28 April at 7pm - Aranui Hall, Seventh Day Adventist Church, cnr Rowan Avenue and Pages Rd.
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Other Council news...
New skills for young artists
One of New Zealand's foremost contemporary artists, Michel Tuffery, and 10 local high school students will present an outdoor exhibition at the Arts Centre of Christchurch from 16 to 30 April, with a special closing celebration.
Currently artist-in-residence at the Arts Centre, Michel will tutor a three-day visual arts workshop with the students.
He is teaching the Maori and Pacific Island students a slide scratching technique. The images created will be projected onto walls around the Arts Centre every evening.
The closing celebration, in the Great Hall from 7pm to 9pm on Friday 30 April, will consist of a live sound track by a three-piece band.
For more information contact Council community co-ordinator (Maori and Cultural) Aroha Rangi on 941 6413.
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