South West Area Plan kicks off
20 November 2003
Rapid growth in South-West Christchurch has led the City Council to roll
out its biggest area plan yet to manage development.
Ivan Thomson, the Council’s area development and planning team leader,
says getting the South-West Area Plan (SWAP) off the ground is imperative
for the future of Christchurch development.
“It (South-west) is the largest growth area in the city and it needs
careful planning because of the significant number of people and large private
investment we’re going to see there in the next 20 years,” Mr
Thomson said.
The SWAP area includes the huge sweep of land from Cashmere in the Port
Hills down to Yaldhurst and is bounded by the Port Hills to the south, Curletts
Road to the east, Blenheim and Main South roads to the north, and the boundary
between Christchurch City and Selwyn District through to Springs Road in
the west.
Mr Thomson said the SWAP would provide a more consistent and long-term
strategic approach to future development in the South-West as well as help
address issues already emerging. As with any growth, there could be some
negative impacts on the area, and the SWAP aims to head these off where
possible, he said.
Some subdivisions, for example, were situated near the top of the Heathcote
River.
“
That catchment and stormwater storage area needs to be retained
and enhanced and, if done well, these areas can become real environmental
assets,” Mr Thomson said.
The original intention of the SWAP is to turn water issues into opportunities
to create and incorporate into the design of residential areas some attractive
water bodies and ecological “corridors”, he said.
There are also transport issues arising from delays in building the planned
Southern Arterial which would bisect the area as the next biggest roading
project in the next 10 years. It was also a likely prerequisite for more
growth in the area.
In the New Year, the Council aims to gauge South-west community feeling
about what they pictured for the area in the next 30 years.
Mr Thomson said a major public consultation process would introduce the
Area Plan process and key issues to some stakeholders in December, but most
communities of interest would be consulted by early 2004.
Top of Page ~ Media Release index
|
