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Christchurch City Council
MEETING OF THE
RICCARTON/WIGRAM COMMUNITY BOARD
AGENDA
WEDNESDAY 29 OCTOBER 1997
AT 5.00PM
BOARD ROOM
SOCKBURN SERVICE CENTRE
149 MAIN SOUTH ROAD
WEDNESDAY 29 OCTOBER 1997
PART A - MATTERS REQUIRING A COUNCIL DECISION
PART B - REPORTS FOR INFORMATION
PART C - DELEGATED DECISIONS
INDEX
| 1. | Apologies | |
| PART C | 2. | Confirmation of Report |
| 3. | Deputations by Appointment | |
| PART C | 4. | 'Safe Routes to School' Programme |
| PART C | 5. | Biofilter - Leslie Park |
| PART C | 6. | Hornby Youth Worker |
| PART B | 7. | Riccarton/Wigram Community Board Community Affairs Committee Report of 21 October 1997 Meeting |
| PART C | 8. | Middleton-Matipo Community Association Request for Official Recognition |
| PART C | 9. | Capital Programme Review Project |
| PART C | 10. | Wigram - Community Facilities |
| PART C | 11. | Riccarton/Wigram Community Board Works and Traffic Committee - Report of 14 October 1997 Meeting |
| PART C | 12. | Fixing of Date, Time and Venue of Ordinary Meetings of the Board in 1998 |
| PART B | 13. | Free Standing Signboards and Signs on Footpaths, and Skateboarding - Amendment to City Council Public Places and Signs Bylaw 1992 |
| PART C | 14. | Mobile Libraries Timetable Review |
| PART C | 15. | Proposed Right of Way Name |
| PART B | 16. | Progress Report - City Streets 1997/98 - Capital Works Programme |
| PART C | 17. | Notice of Motion |
| PART C | 18. | Consideration of Financial Contribution to Yaldhurst/Racecourse Business Persons |
| PART B | 19. | Standing Committee Reports Received of Interest to the Community Board, October 1997 |
1. APOLOGIES
2. CONFIRMATION OF REPORT
The report of the 1 October 1997 meeting of the Board has been circulated to members.
| Chairperson's Recommendation: | That the report of the Riccarton/Wigram Community Board meeting of 1 October 1997, as circulated, be taken as read and confirmed. |
3. DEPUTATIONS BY APPOINTMENT
Nil
4. 'SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL' PROGRAMME RR 6372
| Officer responsible | Author |
| City Streets Manager | Paul Cottam, Safe Routes to School Co-ordinator |
| Corporate Plan Output: City Streets, 9.5 text 5 | |
The purpose of this report is to invite Community Board input into identifying a series of schools for possible inclusion into the SRTS Programme.
What is 'Safe Routes to School'?
The Christchurch City Council has initiated the 'Safe Routes to School' Programme (SRTS). The purpose of SRTS is to make the journey to and from school a safer one for primary and intermediate school age road users. Consultation with children is an important part of SRTS.
SRTS seeks to improve road safety for children travelling to and from school. It does so through consulting the school community on road safety issues, particularly involving children in the issue identification process. From there, SRTS adopts a holistic approach to road safety by involving engineers, police, children, parents and school staff to identify a range of solutions to the problems identified, through a combination of engineering, education and enforcement measures.
The Goals of the SRTS Programme are to:
Safe Routes to School - What Happens
| Officer's Comment: | The Area Engineer (Paul Burden) advises that he has prepared a report in which he has identified the criteria for assessing those schools worthy of early inclusion into this programme. |
| Chairperson's Recommendation: | That the "Safe Routes to School" programme be referred to the Works and Traffic Committee for consideration and recommendation to the November meeting of the Community Board. |
5. BIOFILTER - LESLIE PARK RR 6429
| Officer responsible | Author |
| Parks Manager | Robyn Taylor - Area Parks Officer |
| Corporate Plan Output: Parks : Customer Services - Consents 9.4 text 8 | |
The purpose of this report is to obtain Board approval in principle for the placing of a sewer biofilter on Leslie Park.
RESERVE CLASSIFICATION
Leslie Park is classified 'Recreation' in accordance with the Reserves Act 1977, being Part R332 and R4568 and a total of 2.7499 hectares. It is located at the intersection of Main South, Halswell Junction and Foremans Roads. The Park is frequently used for casual rugby league games and contains the Hornby Rugby League Club building, one rugby league field and play equipment.
BACKGROUND
The Selwyn District Council wishes to undertake a feasibility study to pump their treated sewage from Lincoln into the city sewage system. Because of the volumes involved and the limited capacity of parts of the City's reticulation system, consultants Woodward-Clyde have advised that the only practical entry point is into a sewer that runs down the Main South Road into the Western Interceptor.
THE PROPOSAL
Woodward-Clyde's preferred control strategy is to ventilate this portion of sewer through a biofilter located on the south-western corner of Leslie Park. It is considered that this area may be suitable as it is well away from the sports field, play areas and residential housing. The biofilter involves an area of approximately 40 square metres in any configuration. It would consist of a bed of bark and soil through which stale sewer air would be discharged. Below the soil bark mix would be a porous gravel bed through which air pipelines are being laid. A fan and electrical control would be located in a small block building approximately one metre wide by one metre high close to the extraction point.
The pipeline operates from 6.00pm to 4.00am with no smell produced outside of these hours. The perimeter of the biofilter would be landscaped, however the bark filter bed would be kept clear to enable servicing. There are many biofilters located throughout Christchurch City. An example can be found at the pumping station at 42 Sparks Road.
Whilst other sites have been considered, the biofilter must be located within 50 metres of the main supply pipe. If the biofilter was not located in Leslie Park another option would be on the road reserve along Main South Road. However, this would place the biofilter close to local residences and therefore not considered appropriate.
Mr Mike Burke, the Liquid Waste Manager will be in attendance at the meeting and will be available to answer any questions.
| Recommendation: | That the Board approve in principle the installation of a biofilter on the south-west corner of Leslie Park. |
| Chairperson's Recommendation: | That the officer's recommendation be adopted. |
6. HORNBY YOUTH WORKER RR 6346
| Officer responsible | Author |
| Community Manager | Maria Lodge, Recreation Development Officer |
| Corporate Plan Output: Riccarton/Wigram Community Board Statement of Priorities - Community Identity | |
The purpose of this report is to update the Board on the Hornby Youth Worker position funded through project funding.
The process for engaging the worker was outlined as part of the 'Youth Research Working Party' report to the board in July.
The community agency that won the contract to employ and supervise the worker is Community Development Network Trust (CDN). The trust is Riccarton based but is committed to working in the Riccarton, Sockburn and Hornby areas. There is an intention that the worker will be based for a percentage of each week at Hei Hei Community Centre, plus networking closely with other local community agencies.
The Youth Worker, Lael Schwartfeger, was appointed on Friday 26 September and will commence his duties in early November.
Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms encompassed in the contract will be the basis of ongoing progress reports; with a detailed report on the outcomes of the project at the completion of the 18 month contract.
| Recommendation: | For information. |
| Chairperson's Recommendation: | That the information be received. |
| 7. | RICCARTON/WIGRAM COMMUNITY BOARD COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT OF 21 OCTOBER 1997 MEETING | RR 6371 |
| Officer responsible | Author |
| Community Manager | Roger Cave, Secretary to the Board |
| Corporate Plan Output: Riccarton/Wigram Community Board Vol 1, 3.1 text 6 | |
The purpose of this report is to submit the outcomes of the Community Affairs Committee meeting held on 21 October 1997.
The meeting was attended by Mary Corbett and Bob Shearing; Mike Mora was in attendance. Concern was expressed at the lack of apologies received from those not in attendance.
1. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON
Bob Shearing was elected Chairperson.
2. FAMILIARISATION TOUR
The tour looked at various current issues:
| Wigram | The residential subdivision and the
reserve contribution offered to Council which includes
the gymnasium and Harvard Lounge. The relocating of the Air Training Corps from Dufek Reserve, with the subsequent opportunity to look at possible purchase of the Air Training Corps building for after school usage. |
| Templeton | The reserve on Kirk Road and the hospital facilities. |
| Wycola Reserve | The Hei Hei hall, the on-park usage, the adjoining tennis/netball club. |
| Broomfield Common | The half basketball court and new playground equipment. |
3. NEXT MEETING
Proposed for Tuesday 4 November, at which ongoing business matters will be identified for discussion.
| Chairperson's Recommendation: | That the information be received. |
| 8. |
MIDDLETON-MATIPO COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION REQUEST FOR OFFICIAL RECOGNITION | RR 6423 |
| Officer responsible | Author |
| Community Manager | Roger Cave, Secretary to the Board |
| Corporate Plan Output: Riccarton/Wigram Community Board Statement of Priorities - Community Identity | |
The purpose of this report is to seek Board recognition of the recently established Middleton-Matipo Community Association.
The boundaries of the new group are:
Middleton Road (both sides)
Blenheim Road (north side) - Middleton to Matipo
Matipo Street (both sides) Maxwell Street - Blenheim Road
Wainui Street (both sides)
Riccarton Road (both sides) Kauri Street to Middleton/Ilam intersection
The boundaries adjoin two existing resident groups, the Central Riccarton and SDZ7 groups. The Chairperson is Ms Justine Mouatt.
| Chairperson's Recommendation: | That the Board give official recognition to the Middleon-Matipo Community Association. |
9. CAPITAL PROGRAMME REVIEW PROJECT RR 6430
| Officer responsible | Author |
| Community Manager | Roger Cave, Secretary to the Board |
| Corporate Plan Output: Riccarton/Wigram Community Board Page 3.1 text 4 | |
The purpose of this report is to seek Community Board consideration to the 'capital smoothing' of projects to be smoothed or deleted to meet the goal of reducing the Council's five year capital expenditure programme by $15 million.
Board members will recall that at the time of approving the 1997/98 Plan, the Council resolved to review the five year capital expenditure programme to find savings of $15m over the next five years.
Circulated for Board members is a copy of a report from Chris Kerr which went to the October City Services meeting, on the proposed process for determining the capital projects to be smoothed or deleted to meet the goal of reducing the Council's Capital expenditure programme by $15m.
Members will note that Stage 2 relates to prioritisation of the 'pool' projects by Community Boards for local projects.
To be circulated separately are those projects which fall within this Board's area. The Board is requested to prioritise or 'smooth' the projects in each year for forwarding to the Strategy and Resources Committee. This Committee is to meet in the first week of November, this means therefore that Boards need to undertake prioritisation at this meeting.
Chairperson's Recommendation: For discussion.
10. WIGRAM - COMMUNITY FACILITIES RR 6345
| Officer responsible | Author |
| Community Manager | Tony Gemmill, Community Manager |
| Corporate Plan Output: Riccarton/Wigram Community Board | |
Recently I attended a meeting where discussion centred on the options for the taking of open space for reserve contributions arising from a Stage 1 subdivision of Wigram which had recently been submitted by Ngai Tahu.
Following an earlier inspection of Wigram and earlier interest shown by the Sockburn Service Centre's Community Activities staff, it was agreed that the existing community/recreation facilities available now at Wigram should be considered for any future use in the area.
As Members will be aware two prime facilities include a reasonably modern gymnasium and an adjacent "lounge" building which could be available for a variety of uses. Some distance from that there is also a set of three tennis courts and somewhere at some further distance there is an existing swimming pool.
While the Parks Unit is reasonably confident of the area that they would seek to "take" for reserve contribution, I believe it is now important that Members give consideration to any options that may be available for the future use of existing facilities in the area.
While the gymnasium and adjacent lounge may represent short term opportunities to pursue, there should also be some consideration of longer term future needs. The proposed urban development in the larger Wigram-Halswell area is important in this respect.
I believe that the Committee/Board should take a detailed view of future "needs" for the area. The opportunity should, initially, be taken to visit the Air Base for an inspection of existing facilities, and that an overview of Ngai Tahu'' first stage development plans be given. As part of this overview the Council's intention for the reserve contribution should be advised to assist the Committee's understanding.
The above process (ie, site visit and staff explanation) should take the form of a separate meeting of the Committee, to which all Board Members should be invited.
In recent months there has been activity centred on the proposal for relocation of the Air Training Corps Unit from the present site on the Reserve adjacent to Dufek Crescent. The opportunity should also be taken to inform Members of the process for relocation and for the future use of the Reserve.
Finally, with the Council's/Board's growing interest in the future of Wigram I can report on an approach received from an organisation interested in developing an ice rink at Wigram (in No 7 Hangar). At this stage the area where the hangar exists is not the subject of any subdivision, and it may not be relevant for any Council involvement at this stage. In the meantime I have attached a copy of the letter of interest recently received.
| Recommendation: |
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| Chairperson's Recommendation: |
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| 11. | RICCARTON/WIGRAM COMMUNITY BOARD WORKS AND TRAFFIC COMMITTEE - REPORT OF 14 OCTOBER 1997 MEETING | RR 6363 |
| Officer responsible | Author |
| Community Manager | Roger Cave, Secretary to the Board |
| Corporate Plan Output: Riccarton/Wigram Community Board, Vol 1, 3.1 text 6. | |
The purpose of this report is to submit the outcomes of the Works and Traffic Committee meeting held on 14 October 1997.
The meeting was attended by Helen Broughton, Mike Mora, David Buist, Mark Kunnen and Ishwar Ganda.
1. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON
Helen Broughton was elected Chairperson.
2. COLLEGE OF EDUCATION - ON-STREET PARKING REVIEW
Members were in receipt of the extensive report prepared by the Area Engineer, Paul Burden.
Some time was spent on discussing the process and desired outcomes of consultation.
Mark Kunnen moved "That the Working Party consist of two members from the Works and Traffic Committee with representatives from the College of Education and School of English Language being invited onto the Working Party."
This motion lapsed through want of a seconder.
(Mark Kunnen and David Buist had left the meeting prior to the following recommendation being put to the meeting.)
| Recommendation: | That a Working Party be established,
being made up of all members of the Works and Traffic
Committee, Service Centre staff, and a local resident
representative, a representative from the Teachers
College, and one representative from the School of
English Language. The suggested first step is to meet with representatives of the Teachers College and School of English Language and then organise a process for consultation. It is intended to look at holding a public meeting for community input before the Working Party is formally convened. |
3. RICCARTON MALL MANAGEMENT ATTENDANCE
Messrs Clive Mackenzie (Centre Manager) and Brian Bell (Development Manager) of Westfield New Zealand were in attendance.
A range of issues were discussed including on-site and on-street carparking, improvement opportunities for traffic egress, business assn liaison, etc.
The discussion, over a period of one hour, was very useful as it was the first time that the Works and Traffic Committee has met to discuss concerns with the Riccarton Mall Management.
The Area Engineer (Paul Burden) is to work with Mall Management to see if improved access/egress can be developed.
There will be ongoing liaison with Mall Management in this committee.
The Mall Management will also liaise with the Riccarton Business Association.
Mall Management is comfortable with extensions to on-street parking restrictions but is not prepared to move on providing more staff parking on-site. There is a slight extension of staff parking provisions due to an extra area being developed.
4. BLENHEIM ROAD DEVIATION
An update was given on recent discussions held with officers from City Streets and Environmental Policy and Planning in respect of the ownership of the Saleyard site and the possibility of realigning Blenheim Road (thus eliminating the overbridge).
A report to the appropriate standing committee is expected later this year with the intention of pursuing this realignment proposal.
5. OTHER MATTERS TO BE REFERRED TO THE NOVEMBER MEETING
Wadeley Road Vehicle Count Report
Riccarton Carparking Study
Middleton Grange School - Revisit
Southern Motorway options
6. NEXT MEETING
Wednesday 12 November 1997 at 8.30am.
| Chairperson's Recommendation: |
That the report be received and a recommendation in respect of the College of Education on-street parking review be considered. |
| 12. | FIXING OF DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF ORDINARY MEETINGS OF THE BOARD IN 1998 | RR 6356 |
| Officer responsible | Author |
| Community Manager | Roger Cave, Secretary to the Board |
| Corporate Plan Output: Riccarton/Wigram Community Board Vol 1, 3.1 text 6 | |
The purpose of this report is to seek Board consideration to a schedule of meetings for the 1998 calendar year. There is also an opportunity for the board to review its meeting day and commencement time as part of the exercise.
Members' attention is drawn to the fact that the Area Parks Officer based at the Sockburn Service Centre also serves the Spreydon/Heathcote Community Board which currently met on a Tuesday. Anticipating that Spreydon/Heathcote will continue with a Tuesday schedule the following meeting draft is submitted for members' consideration:
| Wednesday (being the first Wednesday of the month) | |
| February | 4 |
| March | 4 |
| April | 1 |
| May | 6 |
| June | 3 |
| July | 1 |
| August | 5 |
| September | 2 |
The Board does not meet in January, and its business must be concluded in time to report to the September meeting of Council. (Note: the triennial elections are held in October 1998).
The above schedules does not include special meetings called, if required, to consider the Annual Plan and/or any other special meetings called by the Board.
| Recommendation: | That the Board considers its 1998 meeting schedule with day, date and commencing time. |
| Chairperson's Recommendation: | For discussion. |
| 13. |
FREE STANDING SIGNBOARDS AND SIGNS ON FOOTPATHS, AND SKATEBOARDING - AMENDMENT TO CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC PLACES AND SIGNS BYLAW 1992 | RR 6285 |
| Officer responsible | Author |
| Environmental Policy and Planning Unit | Roger Cave, Secretary to the Board |
| Corporate Plan Output: Environmental Health Policy | |
The purpose of this report is to inform the Board of the outcomes of the Working party deliberations on the draft policy for:
free-standing signboards and signs on footpaths
skateboarding - amendment to the bylaw
At its 3 September meeting the Community Board, by resolution, established a Working Party with power to act to consider these two matters and formulate responses.
The Working Party met on Thursday 25 September 1997, attended by Messrs D Buist, I Ganda and M Mora.
Apologies were received from Mrs M Corbett, Mrs H Broughton, Messrs M Kunnen, B Shearing and T Gemmill.
1. SKATEBOARDING
At its August meeting the Environmental Committee received an extensive report seeking to commence the process of amending the 1992 bylaw to provide the power for the Council, by resolution, to declare certain public places as being areas in which skateboarding is prohibited.
This report was received by the Community Board at its September meeting as the Environmental Committee decided to seek further comment.
At the Council meeting held on Wednesday 24 September it was resolved to bring in the bylaw, but from 1 January 1998.
Members of the Working Party were supportive of the bylaw and, at this time, agreed that there were no public areas within the Riccarton and/or Wigram wards that should be included into the bylaw for prohibiting this activity.
In discussion with the Recreation Development Officer (Maria Lodge) and the Area Parks Officers (Brent Smith and Robin Taylor) in attendance, the Committee concluded that the skateboard users should be encouraged to use on-park facilities, eg Wycola Park.
Also, the Community Board might consider the use of project funds to develop more on-park facilities such as at Kyle Park and the Rollerdrome.
Through the youth worker, to be based in Hornby, it was also suggested that a meeting be held with skateboard groups to discuss current 'issues' and locations for new facilities.
The Working Party resolved to receive the report but not make any submissions.
2. FREE-STANDING SIGNBOARDS AND SIGNS ON FOOTPATHS
With the General Inspector (Steve Dejong) in attendance, members discussed the report which looked at a review of the current bylaw.
The only area of real concern related to the wind-assisted signboards, due to potential accidents that could occur with pedestrians (jammed fingers, caught clothing etc).
With the growing awareness and acceptance of health and safety issues in the community members questioned the continuance of such signs.
The Working party resolved, therefore, to seek a ban on the use of wind-assisted signs.
The meeting concluded at 5.45pm (4.30pm commencement).
Chairperson's Recommendation: That the information be received.
14. MOBILE LIBRARIES TIMETABLE REVIEW RR 6431
| Officer responsible | Author |
| City Streets Manager | Paul Burden, Area Engineer |
| Corporate Plan Output: Street Markings and Signs 9.5 text 38 | |
Canterbury Public Library's two Mobile Libraries currently visit 44 sites around the City to provide library service to areas where residents do not have easy access to a Community or Voluntary Library. In the 1996/97 year Mobile Libraries issued 214,987 items.
One of the features of Mobile Library service is that demand for that service in any given area can rise and fall with demographic changes to the area. It is therefore necessary to regularly monitor the service to ensure that the best possible use is being made of the service.
A small team of library staff has recently reviewed the existing timetable for both Mobile Libraries. The success of existing stops was measured by number of issues per hour with 60 being the recommended minimum and over 120 indicating the need for additional service. The review also took into account the stop's proximity to a 'static' library, the number of elderly and pre-schoolers in the area as well as the Mobile Librarians' knowledge of the area. The result was that some areas were identified as requiring additional service while others where business has declined, were identified for reduced service.
Areas of the City which would be suitable to trial new stops were also identified according to the proximity to a 'static' library and demographic profiles of the residents of the area.
Some of these have already been resolved at previous meetings.
Other changes to the proposed timetable are administrative: to allow more realistic travelling time, to cut down on travelling distance between stops or to allow staff stock maintenance time.
| Recommendation: | 1. That the Board recommend to Council
that the following time alterations for existing Mobile
Library Stops be approved.
2. That the Board resolve the time alteration for the existing Library Bus Stop in -
|
| Chairperson's Recommendation: | That the officer's recommendations be adopted. |
15. PROPOSED RIGHT OF WAY NAME
| Officer responsible | Author |
| Environmental Services Manager | Bob Pritchard, Subdivision Planning Officer |
| Corporate Plan Output: Subdivision, 9.5 text 6 | |
The purpose of this report is the approval by the Board of one new right of way name.
The Subdivision Planning Officer reports:
There is a right of way off Lunns Road that serves several properties and has been known as Landscape Lane for a number of years. It is used as an address by one of the larger companies using it. The owners have requested that the Council recognise the name by formally approving its use.
| Recommendation: | That the existing right of way off Lunns Road known unofficially as Landscape Lane be named as Landscape Lane. |
| Chairperson's Recommendation: | That the officer's recommendation be adopted. |
| 16. | PROGRESS REPORT - CITY STREETS 1997/98 CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME | RR 6375 |
| Officer responsible | Author |
| City Streets Manager | Brendan Bisley, Projects Engineer |
| Corporate Plan Output: City Streets, 9.5 50 | |
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on progress with the City Streets Capital Works Programme within the Board's area.
A. Kerb and Channel Renewals
i. Darvel Street (Kilmarnock - Matai Street West)
Full reconstruction. The contract is currently under construction.
ii. Kahu Road (Kilmarnock - Totara Street)
Full reconstruction. The contract is currently under construction.
B. New Construction
i. Hendersons Road Footpath
Construction of new kerb and channel and footpath on the south west side to link the two existing kerb and channels. The project has been completed.
ii. Kennedys Bush Road (Hyndhope - End)
Construction of kerb and channel and a footpath on the quarry side of the road. The contract has been tendered. Construction is likely in January/February.
iii. Carmen Road Footpath
Construction of a new footpath along the west side of Carmen Road.
C. Safety Works
i. Buchanans/Hasketts
Construction of kerb and channel to improve the intersection visibility. Expected tender date is in October.
ii. Buchanans/Racecourse
Construction of the community initiated trial scheme is complete.
iii. Springs/Awatea
Construction of a splitter island. Construction is complete.
iv. Springs/Garvins
Threshold construction. The budget allocation is insufficient to complete the works. Other funding sources are currently being investigated.
v. Waterloo/Moffatt
Intersection improvements to more clearly define the various streets. The available budget is insufficient to complete the works. Other funding sources are being investigated.
vi. Peer/Waimairi
Realignment of the intersection to improve safety. Expected tender date is February.
| Recommendation: | That the information be received. |
| Chairman's Recommendation: | That the information be received. |
17. NOTICE OF MOTION
The following notice of motion was received, moved by Mark Kunnen and seconded by Graham Berry:
"The Riccarton/Wigram Community Board would like to extend to the local residents, business and community leaders our unreserved apologies for the unnecessary stress, pressure and manner in which the Council has dealt with the proposed changes to Yaldhurst/Racecourse Road's intersection.
By way of apology the Riccarton/Wigram Community Board would like to reimburse the local community committee for the $562.50 expenditure that needed to be invested in obtaining an independent, professional roading engineer's report to assist redressing the Traffic Committee initial decision."
In March of this year the Traffic Committee of the Riccarton/Wigram Community Board started discussing various options for changes to the Yaldhurst and Racecourse Road's corner. One possible change to the intersection was chosen by the Committee as the solution to the perceived problems of this intersection.
Only this one solution was presented to the public as the option that the Council was intending to pursue to improve the safety at this intersection.
No safety audit was done on this one option before the committee sought public comment, and only this one option was presented to the public with no costings or alternative possible solutions that could equally redress the concerns raised.
When the public information document was circulated, the local residents and business community held several meetings, inviting Board members to attend to discuss their grave concerns about the safety and need for the proposed alterations.
Much local media attention was given to the very real and substantial concerns of the local residents and business in and around Coach Corner.
Several requests were made by various representatives of the local residents and business community to meet with the Traffic Committee at the earliest possible opportunity. This courtesy was not extended to them until the September meeting of the Traffic Committee, some six months after the issue was first raised.
At the August Traffic Committee meeting local residents, business and community leaders attended to discuss the intersection as it was set down on the agenda for resolution. At this meeting a very comprehensive, well researched and reasoned report was presented by the local community to the committee outlining the very major safety concerns that the proposed alterations would cause at this intersection. Sadly the committee held over any discussion on the intersection because the persons requesting the alterations were not present.
Professional transport planning and design support had been sought by the local residents after their initial contact with the Council showed that the Traffic Committee had not followed a sound and sensible planning process in determining the possible solutions for this intersection. The professional report, which has been supported by the Council's engineers and respected independent roading engineers, clearly demonstrated that the Traffic Committee option would considerably worsen the intersection's safety, resulting in many more accidents, including major serious injury accidents at a corner that has at present on average less than 1.5 total accidents per year.
When considering planning matters -- which is what proposed roading changes are, the committee is duty bound to address matters of concern without undue delay, and take into account the total impact of any proposal.
One of the first issues raised was the likely economic effect any solid seagull island would have on many of the small, locally owned and family run businesses that make up the Coach Corner community. These concerns were not addressed by the committee in a fair and timely manner.
The real safety concerns raised by the local residents, business and community leaders, were also not fully discussed and addressed until the September meeting of the Traffic Committee. These local residents, business and community leaders have spent several hundred hours of total time working to ensure that they could have a future in their local community. These people have been put through totally unnecessary pressure by the committee's inept handling of this matter.
Running a small family business in our community, trying to increase employment and contributing to wellbeing of our community is in itself a pressured undertaking, but to have a Council committee totally unnecessarily add to these pressures and concerns is totally unacceptable.
Some members tried to have this matter resolved at the August meeting of the Riccarton/Wigram Community Board. Unfortunately the majority of the Board were not prepared to resolve the matter to allow some normality to return to the local Coach Corner community.
18. CONSIDERATION OF FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO YALDHURST/RACECOURSE BUSINESS PERSONS
The Chairperson, David Buist, seeks consideration from the Board for a half share contribution to the cost incurred by the local business persons in their employing a traffic engineer to prepare a report on the Yaldhurst/Racecourse intersection safety improvement proposal.
At a recent meeting of the Works and Traffic Committee members were advised that the Acting City Streets Manager had advised one of the local businessmen that the cost of the traffic report that they had commissioned would be considered for reimbursement by the Council.
The cost involved is apparently $562.50 and the Acting City Streets Manager has advised the Community Manager that he will pay one half of the cost if the Community Board resolves to pay the other half.
| Chairperson's Recommendation: | That the Community Board give consideration to an ex gratia payment in the sum of $281.25 as half cost of the traffic report prepared for the Yaldhurst/Racecourse business persons, to be funded from the Board's discretionary fund. |
19. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS RECEIVED OF INTEREST TO THE COMMUNITY BOARD, OCTOBER 1997
1. CENTRAL CITY, 20 OCTOBER 1997
Skateboarding, City Mall
Skateboarding, amendment to Public Places and Signs Bylaw 1992
Central City Cycle Project
Cathedral Square Redevelopment
Electric Shuttle - Central City
2. COMMUNITY SERVICES, 6 OCTOBER 1997
Early Childhood Education
Access to Recreation/Sport Activities by People with Disabilities
Social Monitoring Programme
3. CITY SERVICES, 7 OCTOBER 1997
Co-ordinating Committee for Traffic Safety
Reporting on Transport Initiatives
Cycle Steering Group
Cycle Projects
4. ENVIRONMENTAL, 9 OCTOBER 1997
Environmental Centre, Establishment
5. PROJECTS AND PROPERTY, 10 OCTOBER 1997
Central Library Upgrade Project
Sports and Entertainment Centre Report
Pioneer Sports Stadium Report
Convention Centre Report
Centennial Pool Redevelopment Report
6. STRATEGY AND RESOURCES, 13 OCTOBER 1997
Suburban Service Delivery
1998 Council Election Review Hearing of Objections
7. PARKS AND RECREATION, 15 OCTOBER 1997
Chairperson's Recommendation: That the information be received.