CHRISTCHURCH CITY UPDATE ’96
STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING
REPORT
The third report on
the state of the city's environment has recently been completed by the Information
and Monitoring Section of the Environmental Policy and Planning Unit. The report
called Christchurch City Update ’96 is now available at Civic Offices.
The report presents historical and current information
(for the year to June 1996) about many aspects of the
City's people, its natural and
physical environment and its economy. It is not
intended to be a technical report but is designed to provide community representatives and
decision makers with timely information on trends and issues in the wider environment of
Christchurch. It is also available to students, business people and others who are
interested in information relating to the City.
Some of the highlights from Christchurch City Update
’96 are listed below.
The
City’s People
- Between 1991 and 1996 the City’s total population
increased by just over 21,000 from 292,858 to 313,969 people.
- During the last year, Christchurch experienced the third
highest population growth in the country behind Auckland City and Manukau.
- Recent population growth has largely been the result of
increases in overseas migration and higher net migration from other parts of the country.
- In recent years, the largest net gain to the City from
external migration has been from Malaysia (1,584 people) followed by Japan (1,359 people),
Taiwan (1,109 people) and Korea (1,038 people).
- The population will continue to grow over the next two
decades, however lower natural increase (births minus deaths) and net migration will lead
to slower population growth in the future.
- Increases in life expectancy and the movement of the large
baby boom generation into retirement ages means there will be more elderly people living
in Christchurch in the future.
The Natural and Physical Environment
- Christchurch City covers an area of 45,240 hectares.
- Approximately 50 million cubic metres of water are drawn
annually from the Christchurch- West Melton aquifer system by the City Council and pumped
through the City’s reticulation system.
- Water drawn from all wells feeding the City’s supply
comply with the "Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand 1995" without being
treated.
- Christchurch produced 254,293.2 tonnes of refuse in the
year to June 1996.
- On average, 155,000m3 of effluent per day flows
through the sewage treatment works (July - June 1996).
- Twenty-seven historic buildings in Christchurch have been
demolished or partially demolished since 1985.
The
City’s Economy
- The local economy is estimated to have grown by 19 percent
in the four years to March 1996.
- Business numbers and employment have increased strongly
since the recession of 1991/92.
- Total employment increased by nearly 5 percent during
1995/96.
- Registered unemployment in Christchurch has stabilised
over the last year after a sustained period of decline.
- Christchurch has the second highest number of
international visitors, after Auckland.
- It is estimated the Christchurch economy benefited from
international visitor spending by $931 million during the March 1995/96 year.
- 20,100 new cars were registered in the City in the year
ended August 1996. This is an increase of 60 percent in less than 2 years.
Corinne Macintyre
Planner
Ph: 371-1812
