Planning for the Future of a Great City
The final report of the Children's consultation exercise on the Christchurch City Council Draft Plan: 1997 Edition

18 July 1997

Introduction

This report summarises the responses from "Planning for the Future of a Great City", carried out in May and June 1997 in conjunction with the Christchurch City Council Draft Plan: 1997 Edition.

All year seven and eight (form one and two) pupils at Christchurch primary and intermediate schools were targeted, with 753 children responding from some 26 schools.

The main objective of the exercise was to stimulate children to think about their City and the services the Council provides. However, the project has also served as a poll of children's opinions about their city.

In analysing their responses, some general trends have emerged as to what preoccupies Christchurch children in this age group.

The intention was also to use this survey as a pilot for future years, broadening the consultation to include all school pupils across the City.

Activities, Events and Festivals

Around 27 per cent mention events or festivals (either specifically or generally) as one of the things they like most about Christchurch. In addition, 15 per cent specifically mention QEII, 12 per cent mention the Arts Centre, 11 per cent mention swimming pools and another 12 per cent mention other activities, with Science Alive rating highly within this sub-group as a positive aspect of living in Christchurch.

Some 41 per cent of respondents believe the City can be improved by offering more activities for children and young people. A very common request is for a new fun park, an extension of QEII, our own version of Disneyland, a Christchurch Rainbow's End or similar.

Other frequent suggestions on a related theme are for a new ice skating rink, discos or nightclubs for teenagers, skateboard ramps, increasing the scope of Kidsfest to cover pre and early teens and improvements to specific swimming pools, with wave pools a popular request.

Others are looking for new shopping malls or new local branches of Time Out, MacDonalds or Card Crazy. These suggestions are not exclusively selfish. A number of children point out that most festivals are youth or family oriented -- the elderly should also have equivalent festivals catering for their interests.

Some quotes made by respondents on these themes follow:--

• All children should go for two week holidays away from their parents, paid for by the Christchurch City Council.
• I would like you to build an ice rink near Hornby. Could you make the old Warehouse building into a roller disco place open from 6pm to 8pm every Saturday and Sunday night.
• Quail Island should be fully restored. Even the leper colony. That would really make the Island come alive.
• Kids Fest could be improved if it had more stuff for my age group.
• More wide open forests would be nice.
• I would introduce diet programmes so that our city doesn't turn into a lot of horrid over weight couch potatoes.
• I like going to the park to play on the equipment but not when water is sitting at the bottom of the slide. If you drill a small hole in the bottom of the slide the water will drain out,
• The older children need to have more festivals and activities so they don't run wild and wreck our city.
• I think the slides should be taller in parks because they are too short.
• The City council should give pocket money to all the children.
• I think you should build a skateboard ramp at Burnside Park for the older brothers we have.

Environment

Children are generally appreciative of the environment and consider that Christchurch has superior environmental attributes, but are also concerned to preserve and enhance these as a priority above all other considerations.

The City's water supply receives a favourable rating with 44 per cent singling it out as one of the things they like most about Christchurch. This is second only to the general category of parks, beaches and rivers, which are mentioned by 54 per cent. Specific features such as Hagley Park, the River Avon and the Botanical Gardens are mentioned by name by 21 per cent.

Conserving or improving these aspects is apparently a concern as 35 per cent of respondents mention smog or air pollution and 24 per cent mention litter as one of the things they would like to change about Christchurch.

Many of these children link the smog problem to open fires, suggesting as solutions conversion to gas, lower electricity prices or other more fanciful technological remedies such as a giant fan system or burning a smoke free type of fuel.

Cars and trucks are also perceived as contributors to Christchurch air pollution. Solutions to this aspect of the problem range from banning cars for one day a week, banning vehicles entirely from the inner city, building roads underground for all cars and trucks, providing more cycleways and developing solar powered vehicles.

Litter is of slightly less widespread concern and graffiti ranks as something that seven per cent of respondents would like to change. A number of remedies are suggested for these, the most common being for a regular "pick up litter" day, involving variously the whole community, school children, Councillors and those convicted of crimes.

The condition of public toilets was another thing that a significant number of respondents would like to change, with 29 per cent commenting that Christchurch public toilets are dirty, disgusting, grotty, unhealthy, unhygienic, covered in graffiti or similar. A number of these children cited toilets in Ashburton as superior to Christchurch public toilets.

Some quotes made by respondents on these themes follow:--

• I think that if all the buildings were shorter the air would be cleaner.

• I don't like the pollution. If you put more emphasis on the City bus services more people will use them and therefore the pollution level will drop.
• When I fill up a glass of crystal clear water I always think how lucky I am to live in Christchurch because of the fresh spring water.
• I don't think we are the Garden City -- we are the Smog City because I can smell the smog and even see it. Something needs to be done.
• Make more interesting ads about saving water, ones that will catch attention, eg cartoons for kids etc.
• What I like most is our clean water and green grass -- also the fresh air we breathe
• I like the fact that when we're swimming in the sea we're not swimming in everybody's sewage.
• Make heaters cheap enough to buy so nobody has to have open fires, so there will be less pollution.
• When I go to stay somewhere out of Christchurch I don't feel right drinking the water because I don't know what's in it.
• I like all the natural things about Christchurch, I think it is good that there are so many parks and reserves.
• Have less town houses so people can enjoy their own reasonable sized back yard.
• Our city could be a terrific place in the future if we look after it.
• I dislike the smog, rubbish and pollution round here. It makes the world end sooner. What I think we could do is cut down on pollution and probably turn to solar power or something else other than that. I don't really want my children and grandchildren not to see the real world. Pleas take this seriously.
• I don't like the name Garden City. I know its true, but it doesn't sound very flash.
• I like the clean water, the beaches and the hills, as well as the Arts Centre and the Botanical Gardens, because everyone can use them and be happy when they use them. I like the way most of these things are free.

• I think that the Council should provide a service that on a certain day of every month, people in different communities should clean up their community instead of street cleaners.
• I don't like open fires and log burners -- they should invent a new firewood.
• 24 hour maintenance on the public toilets is definitely needed.
• One of the best things about Christchurch is our clean fresh water supply and it is great that we don't have to pay because it is not chemically treated.
• I do not like the smoke around the City because some people cannot go out to get the milk after four o'clock.
• In the future cars will float, walkways will move, pigs will fly and Christchurch will be smog free.
• I haven't got one particular thing, but I think that 10, 20 years down the track, Christchurch will be rather polluted and dirty. I suggest you do your best to keep it clean and fresh. That will make it more attractive. We like to see the green!
• If we can have laws and ads about drink driving then we can have laws and ads about smog and pollution.

Traffic and Public Transport

Extending from the themes developed in considering air pollution, many children address the issue of public transport. Some 34 per cent say the level of traffic and lack of parking is one of the things they would like to change about Christchurch very close to air pollution as the most frequently mentioned negative aspect of the City.

Around 21 per cent specifically mentioned public transport as something they would improve in the future. A number of options for are suggested. Building a monorail or a subway is frequently advocated as is extending the tram. Others take a more simplistic approach and suggest that buses need to be decorated to increase their appeal or that bus services need to become more frequent or even free.

One respondent suggests that the Addington Saleyards should be used as the site of a park and ride facility, similar to those in operation overseas.

Some quotes made by respondents on these themes follow:--

• I do not like the tram because it goes nowhere. You should make it go to Sumner.
• There could be a special TV programme where you can shop from home instead of polluting the air with car exhaust when going to the shop.
• Change the cars so they run on herbs or something.
• In the city of the future we should get better public transport. It is very inefficient for everyone to own a car.
• I don't like the city tram. Why? I'll tell you why, it goes far far too slow. It should be much faster.
• The Council should put a pedestrian crossing between North and South Hagley about 100 metres from the roundabout at the end of Riccarton Road. It is really hard trying to get across that road on a Saturday morning after most of the junior rugby games have finished. There are a lot of ambulances going down there. At least one every morning and they go so fast they're going to hit someone and have an extra passenger.
• Make the tram faster and take away the tracks.
• It is ludicrous to expect people who seek medical attention to have to park miles away from the Hospital. This is a top priority and should be looked into immediately.

Social Services

Around 25 per cent of respondents indicate that improvements are required in one or more social services.

These incorporate suggestions for more police, capital punishment and more secure or distant prisons, which are advocated by a number of children.

More frequently mentioned are improvements to health services and hospitals, housing provision for the homeless, food banks, counselling for abuse victims, education, measures to combat racism and improved services for the elderly.

Ten per cent believe the level of crime and violence is something that should be changed, while 13 per cent believe the dog laws could be stricter to more carefully control dangerous dogs or to stop dogs fouling.

Some quotes made by respondents on these themes follow:--

• Make sure everybody has about the same money and the same sized homes instead of poor people and rich people. Everyone should treat each other the same no matter what they look like.
• If you are under 18 and out on the town after 11 pm you should be arrested.
• For the people who get caught doing robberies, they should be made to go around washing off all the graffiti
• We should have more English teachers for people from other countries.
• I don't like the way teenaged children are going out using drugs, drinking and getting pregnant. I think someone should do something.

City and Council Image

The image of Christchurch among children is generally very positive. Around 14 per cent consider the small size of the City, its relative lack of population and traffic as one of the things they like most about Christchurch.

Council's image is also favourable. A number of children make comments along the lines of "keep up the good work."

The mayor is particularly well regarded. Asked to depict Christchurch in the future, one respondent shows a pastoral scene with just one house and the caption "Year 2060: everyone migrated to Auckland except the faithful and loyal Vicki Buck."

A number of children, however, comment that prior to this exercise they had been generally unaware of Council activities and suggest that more concerted communication is required to explain Council's role, through a weekly newspaper or through Council running its own radio station.

Preserving the City's heritage buildings is an issue for three per cent, while limiting subdivisions, townhouses and high rise development is an issue for five per cent. Some, however, take an opposing view, advocating the destruction of old buildings to be replaced by more modern architecture.

There are a few negative comments about rates and about major projects such as the Conference Centre and the New Brighton Pier.

Some quotes made by respondents on these themes follow:--

• I like how the council gets the important things done, like maintaining the streets and roads, yet they still entertain the city with festivals like Summertimes and Kidsfest.
• I would pull down all the old grotty houses, like in Merivale. Imagine how much the value would be if it had nice new homes on the land instead of the old yuk houses at the moment.
• Stop pulling down the good houses and putting up town houses.
• Educate people how to look after Christchurch.
• Stop all townhouses and extend the outskirts of town.
• I think there should be more advertising, so people know how much the City Council actually does, so people might get more involved with the activities that go on around Christchurch.
• I like gardens, the views, malls, Avon River, Square, people, it's not too big, our lady mayor and the Wizard.
• I think the Council has done great things. Now it's up to us.
• Keep it simple. Not too many shopping malls or takeaway stores like MacDonalds and KFC when we already have enough. They take up space and we need room for more local reserves and houses.
• Pull down all the old houses and make new houses so our country could look new and healthy.
• I would have more parks and flowers. There would be more fun parks and lawn mowing services. There would be more luxury hotels for cheaper prices and man-made beaches that are always hot.
• I think the Council is providing enough services without it costing the ratepayers too much money.
• I like being able to go outside without being shot to pieces by guerillas or soldiers sent by the government.
• To make Christchurch a great place in the future I would ask the public what they want more often
• To make Christchurch a great place in the future I would invest in the City Council and help keep up the good work
• I would make Christchurch look like New York. All the houses are on big poles, the houses will be made out of candy and everyone will wear 3D glasses.
• Don't build conference centres. Use the money on things that are needed, like to extend QEII and Science Alive.
• The only thing I reckon should be improved is the footpaths. You put them there, how about you mow them?
• Take some of the car yards out and use them for something else.

• Do not let horrible buildings like the concrete box on the corner of Colombo St and Moorhouse Ave be built.

• After visiting other major cities in New Zealand and realising how commercialised and congested they are, I have begun to appreciate Christchurch even more.
• If you want to make our city the best, continue to be guided by Vicki Buck.
• You should not provide any other services because my mother and father will have to pay more rates.

Local Preoccupations

A number of school or class groups develop consistent themes.

It is likely that in some cases these accurately reflect genuine local sentiment. However, it is also likely that in other cases, they arise from a particular suggestion made by one of the children in class discussions which has been taken on by his or her classmates.

The preoccupations apparent from different school groups are itemised below:--

• Redcliffs: Paint old buildings in bright colours, clean up Lyttelton and plant natives on the Port Hills.
• Oaklands: Environmental conservation.
• Bamford: Social services.
• Merrin: Opposed to Yaldhurst sex offenders unit; appreciative of Christchurch size compared with Asian countries; community service people find themselves jobs, or have jobs found for them.
• Chisnallwood: Road safety.
• St Patrick's, Bryndwr: Glue sniffers.
• Branston: Sockburn Pool.
• Waltham: Crime and social services.
• Mairehau: Absence of a local swimming.
• Breens: Unhappy with the Harewood/Breens Rd intersection.
• Central New Brighton: Strongly favour QEII.
• Our Lady of Victories: Strongly dislike public toilets.
• Sumner: Unhappy with high rises; want improved access for people with disabilities; want a free bus service.
• Freeville: Unhappy about marijuana use and glue sniffing.