The transport systems in and around Christchurch are critical to the quality of life and future prospects of the region. The City Council has just released a draft plan of how it believes the city, national transport agencies and surrounding districts can best work together in this area.

The document – the Metropolitan Christchurch Transport Statement: Stage One (MCTS) — was adopted by the Council in December and is now being circulated for public input as part of this year’s draft plan. Copies of the summary report booklet are available at all Council service centres and libraries along with information about how people can have their say on it.

The Council’s aim with the MCTS is for it to eventually “provide an overarching direction for transport policy and strategy for the Christchurch metropolitan area and surrounding districts for the next 20 years.”

The MCTS seeks to integrate transport planning for the city and all of its main commuter catchments — Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Rolleston, Burnham, Lyttelton and Diamond Harbour. The City Council hopes to gain the support of other organisations, agencies and surrounding local bodies for the plan.

Denis O’Rourke, Chairman of the City Council’s Sustainable Transport and Utilities Committee, says community understanding and support for the statement will be vital because, in varying ways, it will have an impact on the lives of everyone in Christchurch.

“The statement includes recommendations about provision of roading, public passenger transport, walking and cycling, and for encouraging changes in how we travel,” Cr O’Rourke says.

The Council is taking a two-stage approach. In this, the first part, it seeks general feedback with the intention of getting agreement about “over all direction, major projects and level of investment”. The second, more detailed stage will begin later in the year and will involve more intense work with neighbouring local bodies and with national transport agencies Transit and Transfund, alongside more consultation with major stakeholder groups and the public.

“When that second stage is completed,” says Cr O’Rourke, “the MCTS will provide the basis for planning, investment decisions and alternative funding opportunities for all transport stakeholders, listing major projects for coming years and also providing a longterm direction.

“With it, we’ll make sure that Christchurch plays its part in meeting the government’s vision for ‘an affordable, integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable transpor t system for New Zealand’.”

Have Your Say: The Metropolitan Christchurch Transport Statement and information about how to get involved is available, along with other elements of this year’s draft community plan, from all Council offices and libraries, and on the web through www.ccc.govt.nz/ourcommunityplan