Christchurch is a great city. We have an excellent environment here, and enjoy a great lifestyle. In recent years, we’ve achieved a great deal, but there is still much we can do to make it the place we want it to be in 2010.

Great cities don’t just happen by accident or chance. You can’t tinker your way to excellence. Christchurch will be as good as we, the whole community, choose to make it. Great cities require bold vision, innovative planning and careful execution.

The new Local Government Act (2002) provides us with a great opportunity to work with others to improve the quality of life of all people in our city. It requires the Council to do things differently, including the way we go about some of our planning processes. There is more listening to the community, working together, and focusing on whatmatters.

In the past, one of our most important planning documents has been the annual Financial Plan and Programme. From this year, we’re producing a new planning document, Our Community Plan Christchurch O-Tautahi.

Our Community Plan has its roots firmly in the community. It asks everyone to contribute towards developing the vision for Christchurch. We want to know what kind of city you want to live in — what sort of environment and what sort of community. The Council will use those ideas, called outcomes, and propose the things it can do to make them real. Ratepayers’ money will be used to fund activities which contribute towards achieving the community’s vision and outcomes for our city.

So, don’t hold back your ideas! We can make a difference and improve the lives of people in Christchurch, now and in the future.