UDS Community Charter signed and ready to view
 Christchurch residents can now view the Community Charter for the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy and continue to provide input to the drafting of the strategy through the new on-line discussion forum on the www.greaterchristchurch.org.nz website.
The charter sets out the guiding principles and directions for the drafting of the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy, and will be officially launched later this month when all the partners sign it.
It will be another step in defining what the partners to the strategy: the Christchurch City Council, Selwyn and Waimakariri district councils, Environment Canterbury and Transit NZ, aim to deliver for their communities as they plan long-term for growth in Greater Christchurch.
"The Urban Development Strategy is being driven by one of the region's largest and most successful consultation processes," says Bob Parker, the City Councillor who chairs the UDS Forum. "The Charter's the expression of that consultation as it guides the forum to produce a successful draft plan."
The Charter statement draws heavily on last year's community feedback received from Greater Christchurch UDS consultation about options for growth in Greater Christchurch.
From the Lyttelton Harbour basin to Waimakariri District in the north and Ashley River and Selwyn District in the south, submissions to the Greater Christchurch UDS wanted the partners to stop urban spread and protect and enhance:
- Aquifers, ecological values, and outstanding natural and rural landscapes
- Productive rural land
- Existing urban centres and their development
- Community health and character,diversity and facilities
- A "sense of place"
- Heritage
- Open space and greenspace networks, and
- Urban and site design
Taking community wishes on board, the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Forum has agreed to the following charter statement: "The Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy will improve the quality of life for people by focusing on defining clear boundaries between urban and rural areas, and developing existing urban areas in a more concentrated form."
Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury have approved the Charter; the other partners have yet to consider it.
As discussions about drafting the Greater Christchurch UDS continue between the partners, the public can still play a role through the online site at www.forums.ccc.govt.nz/uds/Forums where public transport, light rail and water have been posted for discussion. |
