City Scene - October 2000: Strategy for our coast

October 2000

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Policing In The Community

Mastersā€™ Work In City

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Artist Gives Glimpse Of Chalice

Strategy for our coast

What are your priorities?

The City Council is at the end of a successful five- year development programme for Christchurch’s wonderful coastal parks.

It needs to extend the programme into the next 10 years and has produced a strategy. Your views are needed now to help prioritise the work and funding.

Christchurch coastal parks are divided into three management areas and estimated development costs are described in terms of these areas:

Management Area One, $125,000: Bottle Lake, Spencer Park and Brooklands Spit Beach Parks. These are beaches south of Waimakariri River, with developments reflecting high ecological values and strong links with Bottle Lake Forest Park. Work planned here includes upgrading the Southern Pegasus Bay Track; developing a new road into Bottle Lake Forest for new horse access and walking/mountain biking tracks; weed and pest control.

Management Area Two, $1,305,000: The Spit, Southshore, South Brighton, New Brighton, North Beach and Waimairi Beach Parks. These are the suburban beaches of southern Pegasus Bay. Their management reflects high use, constrained dune areas and the opportunity to enhance recreation opportunities. Examples of work planned for this area are: creating picnic areas; continuing sand management and native and shade plantings; installing more seats and rubbish bins; looking at the level of dog control in New Brighton Beach Park; a carpark and toilet at Spit Reserve.

Management Area Three, $1,470,000: Godley Head, Taylors Mistake, Scarborough and Sumner Beach Parks. These are beaches with rocky headlands and stretches of rocky coast. Management reflects the high recreation and scenic values, with high use issues. Work planned includes a surf reef and beach replenishment southeast of Cave Rock; redeveloping The Esplanade footpath; upgrading tracks such as Whitewash Head; penguin protection at Godley Head.

The estimated total cost of these improvements is $2.5million, subject to detailed design plans. Currently the budget for 2000 to 2010 is less than that - $923,000.

Tell us what your priorities are for the coast by Friday 10 November. Write in, fill out a comment form or make a submission on the website. Postal replies to: Christchurch City Council, Parks Unit, PO Box 237, Christchurch. Stamps are not required if "FreePost Parks and Reserves" is written on the envelope.

Copies of the strategy and comment forms are available from City Council offices, service centres and libraries and by visiting the website www.ccc.govt.nz/consultation/CoastCare

Over the last five years Coast Care has grown into one of the largest and best supported coastal management programmes in New Zealand. The major achievements are increased coastal protection through sand management, planting, and increased recreation opportunities to enable more varied recreation right along the coast. There is better parking and there are more picnic areas.

Other positive outcomes include a greater understanding and awareness of the coast through education and much more community involvement.

Seven Coast Care community groups have contributed valuable ideas and energy. In fact, Coast Care says that the achievements have only been possible because the programme has been assisted by a huge input from voluntary and subsidised workers.

For more information contact Coast Care on 382 1678.