11 May 2000

More than 100 pages of information about the city of Christchurch is contained in a new City Council publication.

Called Christchurch City Update 2000, the 125-page book is primarily designed to assist the Council’s planning and decision making.

But the Environmental Policy and Planning Manager, John Dryden, says the publication – this the fifth – has become a valuable information resource for the wider community.

"In February alone the Christchurch City Update web site received more than 1000 external hits, suggesting that there is considerable interest, both nationally and internationally, in our city," he says.

He says that by monitoring the city’s environment, Update 2000 provides a baseline against which the Council can measure progress during future decades.

The publication paints a picture of the city at the end of the 20^th century, he says.

For instance, it contains information ranging from population growth, health, education, land use, air quality, water, open spaces, heritage, energy, and the city’s economy.

It is a non-technical report and topics were chosen because they are known to be of interest to Christchurch people, says the book.

It is expected that the report will be produced every two to five years now but it will be supplemented by regular information releases on topical issues and other related research.

Further information: Corinne Macintyre or David Price at 941 8815.