| June 2010 |
Cruising BylawThe Council adopted the Cruising Bylaw for both the original and additional streets. This means that crusing is now prohibited every night between 10pm and 8am on all multi-lane roads, the whole of Main Road (from Ferry Road to Marriner Street, Sumner) and all of Esplanade, Sumner as well as Helmores Lane, Rossall Street, parts of Manchester Street and the single lane section of Deans Avenue. New Christchurch Civic BuildingWith only two months until the new Civic Building is to be completed, work is nearly finished in a number of areas. The tri-generation plant was commissioned this month, as were services up to the third level. Areas on the sixth floor are now being gibbed and finished. This month, the gabion baskets and water feature will be installed, trees on the Worcester Boulevard ramp will be planted and the Ripples art work and the street works in Hereford Street will be in place. Christchurch Tram ExtensionThe final stages of the tram extension along Oxford Terrace start this month. Construction contractor Downer will start near the intersection of Hereford Street and move north toward existing tram tracks on Worcester Street. The carriageway will be excavated, old tram foundations will be removed, and then tram tracks will be put in place. Major Sewer Upgrade – Western Interceptor and Fendalton DuplicationWork is scheduled to start in late July on this project. There is still ongoing consultation with key stakeholders. The microtunnelling machine that will be used for this work was ordered in May and because of political upset in Thailand, the concrete pipe for the microtunnelled drives will now be manufactured in Auckland. Landfill Gas PipelineThe Art Gallery has been running on landfill gas since 19 April 2010. The new Civic Building will be able to commission gas for the tri-generation plant once it is needed. The biosolids dryer will also use surplus LFG during its first few years of operation. The second batch of carbon credits has been approved for transfer to British Gas in the UK. Cycleway Developments in the CityThe Council has a number of projects underway to improve the ease and safety of biking in the city. The following cycleways and extensions are expected to be completed by mid 2010.
A cycleway extension from Northcote Road to Tuckers Road has been completed along the rail tracks and joins the existing cycleway south of Northcote Road. Traffic signals have been installed where the path crosses Northcote Road, making it safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
Cycle lanes will be installed on both sides of Wairakei Road, stretching from the railway to almost reach Greers Road. Draft Climate Smart StrategyPublic consultation on the draft Climate Smart Strategy ended on 30 April and 54 written submissions were received. These were generally very supportive with many groups wishing to be recognised in the Action Plan as groups the Council plans to work with. The draft strategy outlines how Council and the Christchurch community can plan for the future impacts of a changing climate and encourages the use of renewable energy rather than fossil fuels. Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna O WaiwhetuThree exhibitions opened in May, including the highly anticipated Andrew Drummond: Observation/Action/Reflection. Around 300 guests attended the launch event and the exhibition is receiving very good reviews. Goncharova and Larionov: L’Art Décoratif Théâtral Moderne (an exhibition of stage and costume designs published in Paris in 1919 by the Russian avant garde artists) also opened in May, as did An Idyllic Country: Pastoral Landscapes from the Collection (a collection of paintings, watercolours and prints spanning several centuries). Provocations: The work of Christine Webster continues, as well as Blue Planet (the blue-themed children’s exhibition), and Brought to Light: A New View of the Collection. The Gallery hosted the launch of New Zealand Music Month, which was attended by almost 700 people. All performances were very well received – with Canterbury Plainsmen the overall favouritesSign Language Tours for the Deaf community were launched on 5 May to coincide with New Zealand Sign Language Week. The tours were successful with around 15 people attending and will take place every three months The next tour is planned for 4 August 2010.The gallery also hosted TVNZ Breakfast who were touring the country with the Rugby World Cup. The successful event attracted 550 visitors and a range of media. Rugby World Cup 2011Tournament Organiser Rugby New Zealand 2011 (RNZ 2011) is looking for 5000 volunteers across the country and the call has gone out for Cantarbians to get involved in this once-in-a-lifetime oppootunity. Visit www.rugbyworldcup.com/volunteer to see the skills RNZ 2011 are looking for and if you are suitable. Christchurch is proud to be hosting five exciting pool matches and two quarter finals during RWC 2011 – and the world will be watching our city. Christchurch host Touch NationalsChristchurch will be hosting the 25th National Touch Championships in February next year (2011) at QEII Park Recreation and Sports centre. The last time the event was held in Christchurch was 2005. An estimated 70 teams are expected at the nationals which will run from 27 February to 5 March, 2011. This is Touch NZ’s premium event and the public will see the best touch in New Zealand at the event. Play starts with three days of masters competition followed by three days for the youth and open grades. National representative squads are expected to be announced after the finals on Saturday, 5 March. Get your free parking here!Remember if you have a car with a fuel economy rating of 5.5 or 6 stars you can claim a second hour of free parking at the Council’s car park buildings. See if your car is a fuel saver on the website www.fuelsaver.govt.nz and if it is, apply to the Council for your sticker that will guarantee you an hours free parking. The funding for this initiative comes from the sale of carbon credits and is not subsidised by rates Riccarton/Wigram street work and construction
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